Business Details
21 Years
experience
Expert Planning Law Solicitors in Chatham
Kingsley Smith Solicitors is a boutique legal practice specialising in planning law and dispute resolution. Established in Chatham, Kent, we combine over 25 years of collective legal expertise with a personal service approach. Our team of four dedicated solicitors handles complex planning law cases, employment law matters, and civil litigation for both private individuals and businesses across England. We prioritise transparency, agreeing all fees upfront and communicating in plain English without legal jargon. Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, we maintain strict professional standards while delivering practical solutions to challenging legal issues. Our clients value our accountability, with lawyers managing cases from start to finish, ensuring consistent support throughout the legal process.The firm's planning law specialists have successfully represented clients in listed building permission cases, enforcement notice disputes, and high court planning challenges. Our employment law team provides pragmatic advice on contracts, dismissals, and workplace disputes, while our litigation experts resolve boundary and property conflicts. Client testimonials highlight our determination, lateral thinking, and exceptional service quality. We maintain offices at The Historic Dockyard in Chatham, offering both in-person consultations and nationwide legal representation.
Services
Planning Law Services
Dispute Resolution
Employment Law
Planning Appeals
Boundary Disputes
Wills Disputes
Commercial Litigation
Landlord Advice
Debt Recovery
Lawful Development Certificates
Details
- Year established: 2005
Highlights and features
- We provide specialist planning law expertise with nationwide coverage
- Our team handles cases from initial consultation to conclusion
- Transparent fee agreements made in advance of service provision
- Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority for professional standards
- Proven success in complex planning appeals and legal challenges
Associations and certifications
- Solicitors Regulation Authority
What people say
Knowledge and expertise
Successfully argue our case
Personal, transparent service
Exceptional advice
Masterly handled affairs
Services
Planning Law Services
We provide specialist planning law expertise for residential and commercial clients. Our services include planning permission applications, enforcement notice challenges, and high court planning disputes. The team handles complex cases involving listed buildings, breach of condition notices, and judicial reviews. With practical solutions and innovative legal thinking, we support clients through all stages of planning law matters.
Dispute Resolution
Our dispute resolution service handles boundary conflicts, neighbour disputes, and property-related legal conflicts. We represent clients in civil litigation matters involving building disputes and restrictive covenants. The team provides clear legal guidance to resolve conflicts efficiently while protecting client interests through negotiated settlements or court representation when necessary.
Employment Law
We offer employment law services for both businesses and individuals. This includes advice on settlement agreements, constructive dismissals, discrimination claims, and contract disputes. Our practical guidance helps businesses navigate employment law complexities while protecting workers' rights through expert legal representation and dispute resolution.
Wills Disputes
Our contested wills service provides specialist legal support for inheritance disputes. We assist clients challenging or defending will validity, navigating probate conflicts, and resolving estate disagreements. The team offers clear guidance through emotionally challenging situations while pursuing favourable legal outcomes through negotiation or court proceedings.
Commercial Litigation
We represent businesses in commercial disputes including debt recovery, contract conflicts, and operational legal challenges. Our services help SMEs, landlords, and entrepreneurs resolve business disputes efficiently. The team provides pragmatic advice to protect commercial interests while minimising disruption to business operations through litigation and alternative dispute resolution.
People
Nicholas Kingsley Smith
Planning Law Specialist
Nicholas specialises in complex planning law cases, providing innovative solutions for enforcement notices, appeals, and high court challenges. With extensive experience in listed building permissions and judicial reviews, he delivers practical legal strategies to achieve successful outcomes for clients.
Elizabeth Kingsley-Smith
Client Services Director
Elizabeth manages client intake and case allocation, ensuring appropriate specialist representation for each matter. She provides initial legal analysis and coordinates the team's approach to deliver comprehensive legal solutions tailored to individual client needs.
Chris Eastland
Employment Law Expert
Chris specialises in employment law and civil litigation, handling breach of contract claims, unfair dismissal cases, and workplace disputes. His down-to-earth approach explains complex legal matters clearly, providing practical advice for both businesses and individual clients.
Lisa
Legal Services Manager
Lisa manages private client legal services with over 25 years' experience in family and individual legal matters. She provides compassionate support for contested wills, boundary disputes, and property conflicts, ensuring clients receive expert guidance during challenging legal situations.
Questions
How can I object to a planning application?
We help draft professional objections to planning applications, ensuring all legal requirements are met while protecting your interests.
What is a lawful development certificate?
We advise on lawful development certificate applications to confirm existing or proposed works comply with planning regulations.
How do I appeal a planning decision?
Our planning law specialists handle appeals to the Planning Inspectorate and high court challenges for unfavourable decisions.
Do I need planning permission?
We provide expert advice on permitted development rights and whether formal planning permission is required for your project.
What are boundary dispute solutions?
We resolve boundary and property disputes through negotiation, mediation, or court representation with specialist legal guidance.
How does employment law affect my business?
We provide practical employment law advice for businesses, covering contracts, dismissals, discrimination, and workplace disputes.
