Kingsley Smith Solicitors LLP

Kingsley Smith Solicitors LLP is a legal firm based in Chatham, Kent, renowned for its expertise in planning law across England. The firm provides practical legal solutions delivered by professional lawyers who aim to understand client objectives to offer effective outcomes. Established as a Limited Liability Partnership registered in England and Wales under registration number OC305935, the firm is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA ID: 419662). The company's services are primarily focused on planning law, with additional offerings in core legal areas such as dispute resolution and employment law.

The firm is particularly known for its specialisation in planning law, with Nicholas Kingsley Smith being a key expert in resolving complex planning challenges. His work encompasses advising on development potential, planning applications, objections, and appeals, including both planning appeals and enforcement notice cases. Kingsley Smith Solicitors LLP also engages in negotiations with local authorities regarding planning breaches, formulates defence strategies for prosecutions, and handles judicial reviews and challenges against Inspector decisions. The firm assists a diverse clientele, including householders, commercial property owners, developers, farmers, entrepreneurs, and those objecting to development.

Specific planning law services include lawful development certificates, HMO planning licences, listed building assistance, and retrospective planning permission. Beyond its central focus on planning law, Kingsley Smith Solicitors LLP offers a range of additional legal services. These include comprehensive dispute resolution, covering civil litigation, boundary disputes, neighbour disputes, and restrictive covenant problems. The firm also provides expertise in employment law, assisting with issues such as breach of contract and unfair dismissals, and handling settlement agreements.

Chris Eastland serves as the in-house expert for employment law and civil litigation, supporting both business and individual clients. The firm's approach ensures that clients receive expert legal advice across these varied practice areas. Kingsley Smith Solicitors LLP prides itself on delivering a boutique, personal service to achieve desired client outcomes. The firm operates with a core team of legal experts, ensuring that lawyers work on cases from inception to completion, fostering accountability and accessibility.

Transparency is a cornerstone of the firm's service, with a commitment to speaking in plain English and agreeing all fees in advance. Elizabeth Kingsley-Smith, also a solicitor, plays a crucial role in understanding client needs and directing them to the appropriate expert within the firm. This dedicated approach aims to minimise client stress and provide impartial advice throughout every stage of a case. While not exclusively focused on Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA), Kingsley Smith Solicitors LLP possesses relevant experience with multi-occupancy properties.

Nicholas Kingsley Smith, a specialist in property and planning law, acts for a significant number of HMO (Houses in Multiple Occupation) landlords in relation to their planning and enforcement problems. The firm also explicitly lists "I need an HMO planning licence" as one of the issues they can assist with. This experience extends to assisting landlords and developers with planning issues, ensuring they secure the necessary permissions for their projects. The firm's expertise in navigating complex planning regulations for multi-occupancy dwellings is a valuable asset for clients in this sector.