News

May 2013

How to get your business exit strategy right

David Hogg, commercial law partner at Close Thornton Solicitors looks at more creative ways to sell your business - Please click here to read the full article . . .

April 2013

A taste of the future? New appointment announced at Close Thornton Solicitors.

Close Thornton is pleased to announce that law graduate Patrick Saunders has joined the firm  - Please click here to read the full article . . .

Close Thornton solicitors bare their soles for a good cause

While most of us were wearing our thickest socks last weekend, two solicitors from the Darlington law firm, Close Thornton, joined around seventy others for a barefoot walk across hot coals in aid of charity at the Baltic Quays in Newcastle - Please click here to read the full article . . .

March 2013

Protecting the Consumer – some basic marketing rules for your businesses

The recent payment Protection Insurance (PPI) mis-selling scandal and the subsequent barrage of unwanted texts sent by some unscrupulous claims companies has highlighted the problem of consumer protection and unsolicited marketing activity in the UK - Please click here to read the full article . . .

Free Wills Month: protect your loved ones and support charity in March.

For the 3rd year, Close Thornton is taking part in the Free Wills Month which runs during March 2013.

If you are over 55, you can have a basic Will drawn up by our specialist solicitors free of charge. You may incur some costs if in our opinion the type of Will you require is more than just a basic one. A Will accurately reflects your wishes whether you are an individual or a couple. Those taking up the offer are under no obligation to leave a gift to one of the Free Wills Month charities; however, the charities earnestly hope that participants will see this as a chance to help their favourite cause.

The charities supporting Free Wills Month are Arthritis Research UK, Asthma UK, Carers UK, Scope, Stroke Association, Breakthrough Breast Cancer, BHF, Blue Cross, RNLI and WWF. Their vital services protect and enrich the day to day lives of many thousands, if not millions of people every day.

Most UK charities depend on legacies for up to half their income. By taking part in the Free Wills Month campaign you can help one or more worthy causes.

To take part, you need to request an appointment during March 2013. On completion of your Will, the solicitor will ask for a confidential declaration form to be completed which will then be forwarded to the Free Wills Month organisation.

To make an appointment or for more information, please contact Iain Robson on 0132 466461 or email him iain.robson@close-thornton.co.uk 

18 March 2013 - now closed to new applications.

12th December 2012

Commercial landlords beware! High Court highlights the importance of keeping an eye on alterations made by tenants.

A recent High Court case, Hannon v Hillingdon Homes Limited (2012), concerned the landlord’s liability under the Defective Premises Act 1972 (DPA). Under the DPA a landlord owes a duty of care to anyone who might be affected by defects in the state of the premises if the lease contains either of the following provisions: Please click here to read the full article . . .

Are you in a new relationship? Do you have children from a previous relationship? If so, have you protected your children’s interests in your Will? Iain Robson, Partner at Close Thornton looks at this difficult, but increasingly common, issue.

If you have re-married or are in a new relationship, it is important to think about how you wish to make provision for any children from a previous marriage or relationship after your death. In addition, the needs and expectations of a second partner or spouse need to be carefully considered - Please click here to read the full article . . .

A ban of referral fees in Scotland produces UK’s lowest rate of whiplash claims. Shaun Burke, Partner at Close Thornton, reviews the issue.

Road Traffic Accident (RTA) claims are on the decline in the UK because cars are becoming ever safer. However, insurance claims for whiplash injuries continue to show a year on year increase. This is largely due to an un-regulated market where high levels of referral fees are being paid. The number of unscrupulous organisations now trading in personal injury is now reaching saturation point and many of these companies work only to make a ‘fast buck’ rather than to act in the interests of the claimant. Please click here to read the full article . . .

From strength to strength: once again Close Thornton’s clients give the firm a ‘thumbs up’ for excellent customer service.

Every year the law firm Close Thornton produces a report based on questionnaires returned by clients after their legal matter is completed. This year, around 450 clients responded and, as last year, 99% of them rated the firm’s client service as ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ across all departments. 80% rated client service as ‘excellent’, a 2% increase on the previous year. Please click here to read the full article . . .

Monitoring employees: how can employers legitimately protect their business from malicious acts by employees?

A recent report in the Financial Times highlighted the threat posed by ‘malicious insiders’ who commit electronic crimes against their employers. For example, an employee, who is about the leave the business, downloads confidential information and uses it in their future employment at a competitor business; or a disgruntled employee decides to sabotage their employer’s IT or telephone systems. The question for employers is when is it legitimate to ‘snoop’ on your employees to try to reduce the risks to the business? Please click here to read the full article . . .

Clear communication: the Family Law department at Close Thornton Solicitors launches new Factsheets

The Family Law department at Close Thornton Solicitors has launched a series of factsheets to help clients to better understand the legal process. The long established Darlington law firm is continuing its drive to improve transparency and clarity of communication for their clients. Please click here to read the full article . . .

08 May 2012

Thinking about Divorce? Close Thornton Family Law Department now offer a fixed fee service to make life easier at a time of stress.

Government Cuts to Legal Aid next year mean many people may have to pay the legal costs of their divorce themselves. While there are many emotional costs in a divorce, Close Thornton is determined to keep the financial costs to a minimum for their clients. The firm is the first law firm in Darlington to offer divorce for a fixed fee, payable in monthly instalments, including Court fees. Clients will be able to finance their divorce through a series of monthly payments, giving them one less thing to worry about. Prices for the Respondent start at only £125 + VAT and prices for the Petitioner start at £650 +VAT, which include the Court fees of £385. Please click here to read the full article . . .

Love thy Neighbour . . . . or at least show some consideration. Chris Wiper, Senior Partner at Close Thornton, tells a cautionary tale about a dispute between neighbours that ended up in the Court to Appeal.

Dealing with a nuisance neighbour can be costly and complex for both parties. As a recent case reveals, ignoring complaints from your neighbours can end up costing a small fortune.

In 2002, Mr and Mrs Ruth began converting a two storey house in Nottingham into a three story house. Ms Jones and Ms Lovegrove owned the house next door and soon began complaining about the effect the renovations where having on their lives and their property. The renovations were completed in 2007. Please click here to read the full article . . .

Commercial property sellers beware! New Capital Allowance rules highlight the importance of keeping thorough records. David Hogg, Partner at Close Thornton, discusses the issue.

From 06 April 2012 new rules come into effect requiring you to deal with Capital Allowances in a specific manner. This means you now have to assemble the history of your property, its fixtures and your business going back as far as 1996.

There have been questions raised in Commercial Enquiries Before Contract on Capital Allowances for some years, but now it is even more important that you answer these questions accurately.Please click here to read the full article . . .  

Is your business struggling to recover debts? Close Thornton specialises in the recovery of both commercial and consumer debts on behalf of a wide range of clients and has produced a Debt Recovery Fact Sheet to guide clients through the process.

Close Thornton prides itself in progressing proceedings quickly and efficiently from the stage of demand letters through to Court action and enforcement.

Fees are generally fixed for each step, enabling you to keep track of costs. With commercial debt we will seek to recover statutory compensation and interest for late payment on your behalf. Please click here to read the full article . . .

Professional footballers are synonymous with money, fast cars and lavish lifestyles – but is this true? ‘Oh yes!’ to quote that annoying head nodding little bulldog who, quite aptly, is the symbol of a major motor insurance company.

Consider Darren Bent (28): he is currently a premiership player with Aston Villa, having moved there in 2011 from Sunderland for £18m. A striker, Bent has also played for Tottenham Hotspur, Charlton Athletic and Ipswich as well as representing his country in 12 international appearances for England, scoring 4 goals. Please click here to read the full article . . .

For many people, the arrival of the transferable Nil Rate Band in 2007 meant that IHT planning using Wills no longer required a Discretionary Trust for the first of a married couple to die. However, the situation changes if one or both parties to the marriage have previously been widowed. In these cases, using an IHT band Discretionary Trust may help to maximise the available IHT Nil Rate Bands. Please click here to read the full article . . .

From 06 April 2012, important changes in Employment law have come into force. Chris Wiper, Senior Partner at Close Thornton, outlines some of the key issues for employers.