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Welcome to our Blog

Are you looking for high quality legal advice? You have come to the right place.

We regularly write about different legal topics and welcome your comments on our posts. If you would like more information on our services, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

The Hidden Complexities of Simple wills.

Jenny Mayhew
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If I was given a pound every time that someone said that their new Will would be “a simple one” or that their existing Will only needed “a tweak” I'd be rich. In many cases that's true but often it is not.   ...

A Solicitor's guide to Navigating the UK Property Market in 2024: Prices, Rates, and Market Activity

Andrew Rannie
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2023 saw modest UK house price dips (1%), offering a glimmer of hope for first-time buyers. But don't celebrate yet - affordability remains tough with high prices (8x average salary) and mortgage rates (over 6%). Forget predictions - no one knows if prices will fall further or rates will stay high in 2024. The market is quieter but alive, favouring buyers with lower offers accepted. Expert Sussex Property Solicitor, Andrew Rannie walks you through the current state of the property market. 

Wellbeing at Work Small Business Bronze Award

Nicola Harding
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We joined in 2023 the Wellbeing at Work Programme through East Sussex County Council.  The programme aims to provide support to East Sussex employers, with improving employee health and wellbeing in the work place. The programme offers workplace health...

Dawson Hart 2023 Roundup: Celebrating Achievements, Additions, and Community Commitment

Laura Manton
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Welcome to the Dawson Hart 2023 Roundup. It has been a great year for Dawson Hart and we are excited to show you what we have been up to. In 2023 we have seen four new additions to the Dawson Hart Family; Jo Claxton (Private Client Solicitor), Tom Duc ...

Vision for Family Justice - Protecting unmarried couples

Jamie Wood
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27 th November – 1 st December was Resolution’s Annual Awareness Week and this year, in addition to celebrating their 40 th anniversary, Resolution have launched their Vision for Family Justice. Resolution is a group of over 6,500 family law...

Simplify Probate: Why Enlisting a Solicitor Makes All the Difference

Laura Manton
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People often ask whether an estate will ‘go to Probate’, although many are unclear exactly what this means. A Grant of Probate (or Letters of Administration if there is no Will) authorises the Executor to administer the estate by collecting in...

Introducing Stefan Banks!

Stefan Banks
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Dawson Hart are proud to announce a new member of our Property Team: Mr Stefan Banks. Stefan is a Solicitor with 6 years of experience in commercial property matters, and he joins us in an expansion of our Commercial Property Department . Stefan will...

Government delays ban on no-fault evictions!

Stuart Long
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In this blog post, our Specialist Solicitor Stuart Long delves into the delay of the proposed ban on No-Fault Evictions, its impact on renters, and the ongoing debate between renters' rights groups and landlords.

If you're affected by a Section 21 Notice, our specialist Solicitor, Stuart Long, is here to help you navigate your options. Contact us today for expert guidance and support.

Another £1,000 raised for the Uckfield Foodbank

Laura Manton
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We have been running and cycling to raise money for the Uckfield Foodbank On 21 st May a team took part in the Hailsham 10k fun run and they made it over the finish line in good time despite the warm weather! The team have been training hard and supporting...

The return of the 100% mortgage

Gemma Blizard
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It’s the news a number of people have been waiting for… the return of 100% mortgages! Tenants of rental properties have often argued that the amount they pay in rent should be considered in calculating the affordability of a mortgage. Finally,...

Our next events!

Laura Manton
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Since the success of our Good Friday Easter Egg Hunt when we raised over £1,600 for Uckfield Foodbank, a number of us have been training for the Hailsham Fun Fun on Sunday 21st May. We have a team who will be running the 10k and we have been training...

Good Friday Fun!

Laura Manton
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What a truly wonderful day we had on Good Friday at the Uckfield Rugby Club Hempstead Fields at our Charity Easter Egg Hunt raising money for the Uckfield Foodbank   As we have not been able to hold our annual Easter Egg Hunt since 2019 it made it...

Come along to the Easter Egg Hunt

Laura Manton
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We are so egg-cited that we are holding a Charity Easter Egg Hunt (our first since 2019) at Uckfield Rugby Club Hempstead Fields TN22 1LX from 11am – 2pm on Good Friday 7 th April 2023 Join us with the Easter Bunny for some great...

Come along to our Easter Egg Hunt

Laura Manton
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We are so egg-cited that we are holding a Charity Easter Egg Hunt (our first since 2019) at Uckfield Rugby Club Hempstead Fields TN22 1LX from 11am – 2pm on Good Friday 7 th April 2023 Join us with the Easter Bunny for some great...

Easter Fun

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We are so egg-cited that we are holding a Charity Easter Egg Hunt (our first since 2019) at Uckfield Rugby Club Hempstead Fields TN22 1LX from 11am – 2pm on Good Friday 7 th April 2023 Join us with the Easter Bunny for some great activities:...

5 of the best ways to fall out with your neighbour

Hayley Banks
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An Englishman’s home is his castle. It can be frustrating and upsetting, then, when your enjoyment of your home is disrupted by issues with your neighbours. The Citizens Advice Bureau have indicated that neighbour disputes are very common and that the...

Proud Sponsors of Crowborough Athletic Football Club

Laura Manton
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We are delighted to be the new sponsors of Crowborough Athletic Football Club’s U14’s team!  The team were in need of a new kit and, after a long break in the season due to Christmas and bad weather, they finally got to give the new kits an...

A new member of the Private Client Team

Jo Claxton
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We are pleased to announce that Jo Claxton, a solicitor, has joined our Private Client team. Jo has been looking after private clients for over 7 years and qualified as a Solicitor 4 years ago.  Jo is married with 2 adult children and her passion, when...

Oh what a night!

Laura Manton
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We had an incredible might yesterday at our Barn Dance at the cinque ports. With the incredible Catsfield Steamers it was a huge success and a complete sell out! With the generous support of Vince Taylor Tofts estate agents and THE STORES DEPT and...

Join us for our Charity Barn Dance

Laura Manton
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We are holding a Barn Dance on Friday 18th November 2022 at 7.30 at the Cinque Ports in Uckfield to raise money for Charity for Kids, our Charity of the Year. We are lucky enough to have  the amazing Catsfield Steamers playing at our event...

Help us keep going!

Laura Manton
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We are two weeks into our June Challenge 2022 for Charity for Kids! 10 members of staff at Dawson Hart are really embracing this year’s challenge of reaching (and in many cases exceeding) 26.2 miles by either running, walking, cycling or swimming or a...

Is a Section 21 Notice the answer?

Stuart Long
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To be able to serve the “faultless” notice, a landlord must establish that the Section 21 procedure can be used, and that prescribed information has been served on the tenant. This procedure is often preferable as it is generally speedier and...

How does a Landlord evict a Tenant?

Stuart Long
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When it comes to evicting tenants, a landlord has several options, but which option a landlord will take depends on a variety of factors. The main two routes involve serving a Section 8 or 21 Notice on the tenant, but a landlord may be restricted to one...

Can you help?

Laura Manton
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Our fundraising has started for Charity for Kids! Each year Dawson Hart employees vote for a charity to focus their fundraising efforts on for the coming year and this year Charity for Kids won the vote! Charity for Kids is based in Hastings and Rother and...

Proud to have supported Sussex Support Services

Laura Manton
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On Friday it gave me great pleasure to present Margaret Dode-Angel with a cheque for £4,522.78 for Sussex Support Services which provides day activities for older people in Uckfield. Margaret said "It has meant so much to our small organisation...

Congratulations to Lochana Gabrielsen

Lochana Gabrielsen
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Dawson Hart Solicitors are very pleased to announce the promotion of Lochana Gabrielsen to Director, specialising in Commercial Property. Lochana joined the firm four years ago as a Solicitor in the Commercial Property team and has been instrumental in the...

Forfeiting a commercial lease during COVID - 19

Lochana Gabrielsen
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Since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, significant restraints have been placed on commercial landlords' abilities to recover arrears of rents from their tenants. The Government introduced emergency legislation, the Coronavirus Act...

Our Charity of the Year 2022 is.....

Gemma Blizard
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And the Dawson Hart Charity of the Year 2022 is….. Charity for Kids! Each year Dawson Hart employees vote for a charity to focus their fundraising efforts on for the coming year and this year Charity for Kids won the vote! Charity for Kids is based...

A fantastic sum of money raised!

Laura Manton
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We are delighted to announce that we have raised over £4,250 for Sussex Support Services CIC who have been our charity of the year for the past two years. Sussex Support Services provides day activities for older people in East Sussex living with...

Fundraising News

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We were delighted to be able to support Sussex Support Service CIC as our charity of the year last year and because fundraising has been tough due to the lock-downs, we decided to continue to support them this year as well. Sussex Support Services provides...

Running for Sussex Support Services

Laura Manton
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Laura Manton, Business Development Director and a member of the Wills, Probate and Trusts Team will be putting on her running shoes for the third time to take part in the Beachy Head 10km run which is thought to be one of the most challenging 10km runs in...

£525 raised for Sussex Support Service

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On Saturday 26th June 2021 a team from Dawson Hart took part in the “Color Obstacle Rush” at Brighton Racecourse to raise money for our Charity of the Year, Sussex Support Services. The participants ran a 5k obstacle race whilst being powder...

What is the alternative to a Power of Attorney?

Jenny Mayhew
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A client recently contacted me to say that her mother needed a power of attorney. After asking some questions it became clear that it would not be possible for a power of attorney to be prepared on this occasion because mother had advanced dementia so was...

The Most Colourful Run On Earth

Julie Binge
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On Saturday 26th June 2021 a team from Dawson Hart will be taking part in the “Color Obstacle Rush” at Brighton Racecourse to raise money for our Charity of the Year, Sussex Support Services. The participants will be taking part in a fun 5K run...

The Most Colouful Run On Earth

Julie Binge
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On Saturday 26th June 2021 a team from Dawson Hart will be taking part in the “Color Obstacle Rush” at Brighton Racecourse to raise money for our Charity of the Year, Sussex Support Services. The participants will be taking part in a fun 5K run...

Is justice prevailing during lockdown in the Civil Courts?

Jon Wilson
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  For anyone who has had an accident and needed to claim compensation for their injuries will know that it is not always an easy journey. With the added worry of coronavirus and the delay this might have on your trial, the pressure can be even greater....

Are your affairs in order?

Jenny Mayhew
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As the latest Lockdown continues now is a good opportunity to get your affairs in order and, in particular, to check that you have a Will and Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA) in place. An LPA is a legal document in which you appoint trusted people to make...

Make a Difference Campaign

Jenny Mayhew
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The whole country was plunged into its third lockdown on 6 th January amid a surge in coronavirus cases. Schools were closed for everyone apart from children of key workers and vulnerable children and are not likely to open now until at least Easter time. ...

Dawson Hart Celebrates Success With Will Aid

Laura Manton
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  We are delighted to announce that the Private Client department of Dawson Hart Solicitors has raised over £2,000 for Will Aid 2020. They gave up their time and expertise to draw up Wills while the charities received much-needed donations for...

PROPERTY MARKET TO REMAIN OPEN!

Laura Lineker
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The Prime Minister announced a further national lockdown on 4 th January 2021. The current guidance from the Government is that you can still move home. Estate agents and removal firms can continue to work and viewings can continue to take place....

The Tougher the Run the Better the View

Laura Manton
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Laura Manton, Director and Tracey Pugh, Legal Assistant in the Wills, Probate and Trusts Team will be putting on their running shoes to take part in one of the most challenging 10km runs in the country They will be running the Beachy Head 10km which is...

Law Society Wills Inheritance Quality Scheme

Jenny Mayhew
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We are delighted to announce that we have become an accredited member of the Law Society’s Wills and Inheritance Quality Scheme (WIQS). This shows that we follow best practice procedures to meet the highest standards of technical expertise...

Video witnessed wills to be made legal during pandemic

Laura Manton
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In these unprecedented times, it seems that the only thing we can be certain of is uncertainty. Covid-19 has affected us all in one way or another. Some have been unwell with the illness or have lost loved ones. Others have been affected by job losses or...

What does Covid-19 mean for your home move?

Laura Lineker
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The property market has now reopened but Covid-19 has changed the status quo in various ways. I will now address some of the main queries that have arisen. Am I allowed to move home? Yes, the government has released new guidelines putting stringent...

Our June Challenge - we did it!

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The challenge was for 7 members of Dawson Hart to run or walk 600km in June to raise money for Sussex Support Service. By this time of the year we would have held our annual Easter Egg Hunt at the Uckfield Rugby Club, sold plenty of cake and bacon rolls at...

The impact of Covid-19 on the Family Courts

Jamie Wood
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Covid-19 has caused considerable disruption to the Family Courts, putting extra pressure on a system which was already overstretched. The court staff, Judges and family law practitioners have done their best in the circumstances to adapt and many hearings...

Racism has no place in our society

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Sussex law firms unite to show support for Black Lives Matter and a commitment to challenge racism.   Human rights are basic rights that belong to all of us simply because we are human.  They embody key values in our society such as fairness,...

Are CVA's and IVA's going to be the answer?

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There is a general acknowledgement that the economy faces a very uncertain future. Widespread concerns as to the depth of any recession are now daily front page news. There  are concerns about what happens when the business is up and running again and...

Our June Challenge

Laura Manton
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7 members of our team will be running and walking 600K during the month of June to raise money for Sussex Support Services which is our charity of the year Due to lockdown and social distancing we have not been able to hold our regular fundraising...

Easter Treats

Laura Manton
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We were disappointed not to hold the annual Dawson Hart Easter Egg Hunt on Good Friday when we had hoped to raise lots of money for our Charity of the Year, the Sussex Support Service. However, with the introduction of lockdown for the whole country, it was...

Making a Will during Covid-19

Laura Manton
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Laura Manton , Director at Dawson Hart Solicitors Wills and Probate Team looks at why those thinking about making and signing their Wills need to be very careful during these times of social distancing.   When it comes to signing a Will in England...