November 9th 2011
Happy customers: 99% of Close Thornton clients said service was ‘good’ or ‘excellent’.
It is 65 years since the Darlington law firm Close Thornton was founded and the firm continues to go from strength to strength. In the latest annual client satisfaction survey, 99% of Close Thornton clients said the service they received was ‘good’ or ‘excellent’. In fact, 78% said the service was ’excellent’, which is up by 2% on the previous year. The Wills & Probate department came out at the top of the tree with over 80% of clients rating the client care they received as ‘excellent’. This comment is representative of the many received: ‘Mr Robson and his staff provided a very professional service and were always helpful and courteous. Please click here to read the full article...
A tribute to Frank Thornton, founder of Close Thornton Solicitors
Frank Thornton, one of the founders of Close Thornton, died in March 2011. He was 91. This year the firm is reaching its 65th anniversary and all the staff at the firm would like to pay tribute to him.
Frank Thornton was born on 10th March 1920 in Darlington. His father ran a building firm in the town. In fact, Thornton Street in the centre of the town still remains today. After attending Darlington Grammar School, Frank did not join the family business, but started his working life as an articled clerk at Wilkes and Marsham, a local firm of solicitors. It was here that he first met Walter Close who would later become his business partner. Please click here to read the full article...
Close Thornton Solicitors is first Darlington law firm to be accredited by the Law Society to its new conveyancing quality scheme.
Close Thornton, the Darlington based law firm, is the first legal practice in the town to obtain the Law Society's Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) practice standard.
The practice underwent rigorous assessment by the Law Society in order to secure CQS status. Law Society President, Linda Lee, said the CQS award was recognition for high standards in residential conveyancing: 'These first practices are the flag bearers of the CQS and this recognition of the quality of their service begins a new chapter in the home buying process. In what is already a crowded conveyancing market, CQS accredited legal practices will be clearly visible to anyone looking to buy a home. For what is the most expensive purchase of anyone's lifetime, it is vital that they can rely on the quality service provision of CQS.' Please click here to read the full article...
Debt collection and the use of late payment interest to speed up payment
All businesses, whether limited companies, partnerships or sole traders, have the right to add late payment interest to overdue invoices, but many do not because they are often concerned about damaging client relationships.
However, clients might start to pay up more promptly if they were being penalised for non-payment from an early stage. This approach would send out a clear message that the creditor is serious about pursuing the debt. In terms of damaging the client relationships, creditors perhaps have to ask themselves whether they want to be doing business with a habitual late payer in the first place. Please click here to read the full article...
Government cuts to Legal Aid: Close Thornton’s Family Law department offers a helping hand to clients
The Government is pressing ahead with plans to cut £290m from the more than £2bn annual Legal Aid bill, despite opposition from lawyers and campaigners.
Ministers say Legal Aid will end for most family cases in England and Wales, but will remain for criminal cases. However, Linda Lee, President of the Law Society, said the proposals would be a "disaster for the public" because they would prevent people turning to the justice system. Please click here to read the full article...
Why leave a Will? Iain Robson, Head of Wills and Probate at Close Thornton, examines the issues.
People spend a lot of their lives trying their best to provide and care for their loved ones, but often fail to ensure provision carries on after death. A Will is the only way to ensure that your affairs are dealt with as you wish after your death. Please click here to read the full article...
Are you aware of your legal responsibilities for fire safety in the workplace? Malcolm Woolfe, Partner and Commercial Property Law expert examines this important issue.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 came into effect in October 2006, replacing over 70 pieces of fire safety law. The Order applies to all non-domestic premises in England and Wales, including the common parts of blocks of flats and houses in multiple occupation (HMOs). The burden of compliance with the requirements of the Order lies with the “responsible person”. Please click here to read the full article...
Changes to legislation concerning private drains and sewers
As of the 1st October 2011, the Government transferred the ownership and maintenance of many private lateral drains and sewers that are connected to the public sewerage system to the water companies. In addition, it is expected that privately owned sewage pumping stations will also be transferred to water company ownership by 2016. Please click here to read the full article...
Ministry of justice moves to ban referral fees in personal injury claims: what will this mean for you?
As the Ministry of Justice proposes a ban on referral fees, it is worth reflecting on what this will mean for the consumer in terms of the cost of Motor Insurance.
There is no doubt that the referral fee market has not done itself any favours. There are some 3,500 Claims Management Companies currently operating in the UK. Advertising from such companies is often aggressive with unsolicited phone calls and text messages being common place. Sometimes even those who have not had an accident can be bombarded with calls and texts encouraging them to bring a claim at no cost or risk to themselves. Please click here to read the full article...
How will the new Construction Act affect you? Chris Wiper, Senior Partner and Construction Law specialist at Close Thornton, looks at the implications.
The new Construction Act came into force on 1 October 2011 in England and 1 November in Scotland. The new Act introduces a payment scheme that all contracts entered into from 1 October 2011 will be subject to. The Act will have a significant impact on how employers, contractors and sub-contractors pay and get paid. These changes to the Housing Grants Construction & Regeneration Act 1996 (HGCR) will be made by way of part 8 of The Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009. Please click here to read the full article...
To read the previous version of Close Up, please click here
CONVEYANCING
FAMILY LAW
WILLS AND PROBATE
