Press Releases

Essex-based Palmers Solicitors showed its appreciation for its dedicated team on World Kindness Day (13 November), gifting all its staff members with a fantastic bag of goodies! 

Getting in the spirit of the day, the firm presented each team member with a surprise gift bag to spread some positivity and recognise its staff for their outstanding work and client support.  

Each bag contained a range of goodies, including a reusable water bottle as well as some tasty sweet treats! 

Founded in 1998 by the World Kindness Movement, an international coalition of national kindness organisations, World Kindness Day encourages individuals, organisations and businesses to focus on the power of community and uniting acts of kindness.  

Practice Manager, Gina Newman, said: “We’re big believers in the power of positivity and kindness for everyone, from our team to the local community! 

“We’re proud to recognise our incredible team for their work and dedication throughout the year. Our talented colleagues are what makes Palmers what it is today! 

“This World Kindness Day has been an excellent an opportunity for us to celebrate the positive impact that small acts of kindness and support can have, whether it’s through client work, volunteering, community work or simply showing appreciation for each other.” 

Leading Essex-based law firm, Palmers Solicitors, has made another significant investment in its talented team with the promotion of Lorna Boorman to Associate Solicitor.

With over 10 years of experience in estate planning, Wills, trusts, probate and older client services, Lorna joined the firm in 2023 – making a splash in the department as a solicitor and building her own client base.

Stepping into her new role, Lorna is spearheading an internal initiative to boost cross-team collaboration and communication with a view to creating opportunities for the firm’s growth and further investment in skills.

Lorna will also continue to market and develop the firm’s Private Client service line at its South Woodham Ferrers Office, focusing on building relationships in the local area.

The move comes as the firm’s Private Client team undergoes significant growth – a demonstration of Palmers Solicitor’s dedication to the community and local people.

Donna Smy, Supervising Department Director in the firm’s Private Client team, said: “Lorna is a hugely valued and successful member of our team, so it’s an honour to offer her this opportunity and have her continue her career with us.

“Her promotion is thoroughly well-deserved and a sign of her talent, skills and standing within the team.

“However, it also marks a wider drive to grow our Private Client offering and further enhance what we offer to people in the community – whether that be planning their estate, writing their Will or helping loved ones through the probate process.

“This comes back to our fantastic team. We’re all exceptionally proud of the work we do and our shared approach to professional development and peer support – and we will certainly look to continue investing in our staff!”

If you have been keeping up with the news, you are probably already aware that Keir Starmer’s Government have recently unveiled the Employment Rights Bill.

They have promised that it will be a “once in a generation” change to our working lives, reshaping the relationship between employees and employers.

What is in the Bill?

The proposed bill includes 28 significant changes, but let’s focus on the key changes that could make a real difference in your experience in the workplace if the Bill is passed:

1. There will be greater job security as you will be protected from unfair dismissal from your very first day on the job, subject to a light-touch process during the probationary period.
2. If you work regular hours over a certain period, you will have the right to a guaranteed hours contract, providing you with greater financial security while still allowing flexibility if you prefer a zero-hours contract.
3. There is set to be a ban on “Fire and Rehire” practices introduced so employers cannot dismiss and re-hire you under less favourable terms except in a limited exception.
4. The bill proposes to undo some previous laws that restricted trade union power, which could help you have a stronger voice at your place of work.
5. It will make it harder for employers to deny requests for flexible working arrangements, which will be ideal for those looking for a better work-life balance.
6. You will have a new right to take time off to grieve.
7. If you are pregnant or recently returned from maternity leave, you will have stronger protections against dismissal.
8. Minimum wage calculations will consider the cost of living and remove age-based discrepancies to ensure everyone is fairly compensated.
9. You will no longer have to wait 3 days before qualifying for statutory sick pay.
10. Fathers-to-be will also have greater benefits as they will be entitled to paternity leave from day one of employment.

What’s next?                                                                                                                                       

It is important to remember that this bill is still in the early stages. Before it becomes law, it will go through several discussions and debates in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords.

So, while these changes are exciting, there may still be amendments along the way.

The full details of what these changes will look like will only be clear once the Bill has been finalised, consultations are completed and the associated regulations prepared.

If the Bill is passed, we are unlikely to see many of the changes come into effect until 2026, so be aware that the impact will not be immediate.

If you have any questions or concerns about how these changes might impact your rights at work or if you are facing any employment-related issues, please contact our employment law team.

One of the biggest concerns we hear from people looking to purchase a home is the fear that the sale will fall through, and they will potentially be left in a worse-off position than they were when they originally started the process.

While some factors are beyond your control, there are several strategies that can be used to minimise the chance of a failed transaction.

Why do some home purchases collapse?

One of the most common reasons property purchases fall through is the collapse of a property chain. Even one person pulling out can cause the entire chain to unravel.

For this reason, many buyers and sellers prefer to deal with those who are chain-free to reduce the risk.

When house hunting, you will typically be informed about any property chain either by the estate agent or through the property listing on the website where you found the home.

Other common reasons a home purchase does not complete include:

• A higher offer being made by another buyer
• Delays caused by conveyancing issues
• Disagreements over the completion date or unresolved legal matters
• Inability to agree on repairs or renovation requests after inspections
• Mortgage applications being declined
• Personal changes, such as a job relocation or family matters affecting buyers
• Problems arising from surveys, title disputes, or planning permission

Naturally, when a sale collapses, it can be incredibly frustrating and emotionally draining, especially given the potential financial loss and wasted time, so you will want to do everything in your power to prevent this from happening.

How can you avoid a home purchase falling through?

Before you begin house hunting, it is a good idea to get a mortgage pre-approval. This not only gives you a clear idea of what you can afford but also shows sellers you are serious about buying, not just browsing.

When you find the right property, never rush in without doing your homework. Make sure you check the title, run local searches to spot any potential problems, like flood risks or high crime rates, and get a property survey done to catch any hidden issues.

If there is a property chain involved and you are happy to go through with the transaction, stay in regular contact with your solicitor. They will keep you updated on the progress and any potential holdups along the way.

Delays can happen, whether due to legal checks or financing, so while it is important to work towards deadlines, staying flexible can help you avoid unnecessary stress and keep things on track.

If you are worried the seller might change their mind, consider pushing to exchange contracts earlier, with completion to follow (subject to the file being ready and all legal matters being dealt with satisfactorily). Once the contracts are exchanged, the seller is legally committed to the sale, making any last-minute change of heart highly unlikely.

Seek advice from trusted professionals

We recommend working with trusted property solicitors to help guide you through the legal side of buying your home. With the right advice and a few simple precautions, you can greatly reduce the chances of anything going wrong with your purchase.

Our Residential Property Solicitors are here to support you every step of the way, from verifying the seller’s legal rights to ensuring your property is properly registered with the Land Registry.

If you are thinking about buying a home, get in touch with our team and we will be happy to explain how we can support you.

Palmers Solicitors, providing personal and commercial legal services across Essex and beyond, has once again been ranked in the prestigious Legal 500 Guide – achieving recognition across six practice areas.

Based on rigorous research, Legal 500 is one of the most highly regarded guides to legal services and expertise.

Palmers Solicitors has been recognised as a leader within a diverse range of practice areas, signifying the firm’s dedication to excellence and client experience.

It has been ranked in:

• Corporate and Commercial – Tier 3
• Commercial Litigation – Tier 2
• Family – Tier 4
• Personal Tax, Trusts and Probate – Tier 2
• Commercial Property – Tier 2
• Construction – Tier 2

The firm has either maintained or exceeded its previous rankings in all of these practice areas.

In addition to its broader expertise, several of the firm’s individual experts have been featured in the rankings, including:

• Helen Jago, Personal Tax, Trusts and Probate – Leading Partner
• Matthew Johnson, Corporate and Commercial – Leading Associate
• Adam Davis, Construction – Leading Partner
• Luke Morgan, Commercial Litigation – Next Generation Partner

Practice Manager, Gina Newman, said: “We are all delighted with the latest Legal 500 rankings. These achievements are a real demonstration of the expertise and dedication of our team, so a huge congratulations to everyone who contributed to our success.

“I would also like to extend our sincere thanks to the clients who provided invaluable feedback to the Legal 500 researchers, for their help and for their continued support.

“Legal 500 is highly respected across the legal profession, and we never underestimate the power of being ranked consistently – but we’re not resting on our laurels!

“We’re always committed to enhancing our approach and delivering excellent service and outstanding client experiences.”

To speak to one of our experts and access our services, please contact us.

Essex-based Palmers Solicitors sponsored the Most Improved Cadet Award at the 1476 Squadron RAF Cadets presentation evening – continuing its committed support of the local community.

Held at the spectacular Vulcan Restoration Trust on Friday 27 September, the event recognised the success and achievements of young people in the Squadron, one of the many ways in which the group helps its cadets reach their full potential.

Representing Palmers Solicitors, Supervising Directors Erin Cronin and Helen Jago were proud to present the award for Most Improved Cadet to Toby Aitkin, in light of his outstanding achievements this year.

The event was doubly special for the attendees, as they were also able to celebrate the career and retirement of Richard Jennings, former Civilian Instructor at the RAF cadets.  

Speaking on the evening, Erin said: “It was a huge honour for us as a firm to sponsor the award, and for Helen and I to have the opportunity to present it to a very deserving winner!

“Events and groups like these have so much to offer to young people, helping them to celebrate their achievements and realise their potential.

“It was an incredible evening. Congratulations to Toby and, of course, good luck to Richard in his retirement.

“It’s important for local businesses to sponsor them when they can so that they can keep going – and it’s also a great opportunity to get involved with the local community!”