Daltons Solicitors was established on Hayling Island in 1986 and for almost a quarter of a century has delivered a high quality personal legal service to the residents of Hayling Island. However, the increasing costs of maintaining a high street practice mean that it is no longer viable to keep open the office on Hayling Island. The final straw was the spiralling costs of professional indemnity insurance which has put hundreds of small firms at risk (The Times, Thursday October 8th 2009).

Michael Dalton says “The decision to close the Hayling Island office is the most difficult decision I have had to take in almost thirty years of business. I am genuinely hurt and saddened by the fact that the closure of the office means than five extremely loyal and valuable members of staff have had to be made redundant. However, I would like to thank them and the residents of Hayling island for their support over the years without which it would not have been possible for the firm to continue on Hayling Island for twenty-three years”.

Daltons Solicitors will, however, continue to deliver its core range of services from its offices in Petersfield and all client matters, files, deeds and documents will be transferred to the Petersfield office on or before the closure of Hayling. The move will cut costs significantly and help put Daltons Solicitor in the best possible position to deliver the services its clients and customers demand. Michael Dalton says “This will help make Daltons Solicitors a firm that is fit for the future, that can live within its means and that can continue to provide an outstanding service to its clients and customers”.

The actual closing date has not yet been announced but will be on or before 30th November 2009.

Sustainable law is a new concept for law firms and as such, Daltons considers themselves the market leaders. Sarah Jordan, commercial property solicitor at Daltons’ Petersfield office, tells us more:-

What is sustainable law?

Sustainable law is all about meeting the needs and expectations of clients without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, whether in relation to the provision of legal services or otherwise.   In a nutshell, it is about conserving what we have and protecting it.  At Daltons, their priority is the provision of high quality legal advice to clients.  Their understanding of sustainability issues enhances the value delivered to clients.
To begin with Daltons looked at their own practice and having taken the time to understand sustainability, they applied their knowledge and understanding for the benefit of their clients.

Sarah explains that sustainable law has evolved from the provision of agricultural law services: ‘My farming clients are increasingly introducing and considering green technologies and supply chains ranging from renewable energy provision to biomass to the growing demand for locally farmed produce.  This shift in core farming practice requires a whole new range of legal products and services.  However, it is no longer only the farmers who require this service but the smallholders, estate owners, local authorities and local individuals and businesses who themselves are providing sustainable services.’

Sarah told the Business Magazine that there are two key elements to the Daltons brand of Sustainable Law.

Daltons actively promotes sustainable working within the firm and to their local community.

As a whole, the legal profession uses vast quantities of a variety of resources, particularly paper.  Daltons are committed to using resources in a manner consistent with a sustainable future in which adequate, healthy resources are preserved for future generations. Land use, forestry, air and water quality are all dependant on this.

Daltons actively recycle paper by way of secure shredding facility, where possible purchases are made from suppliers who themselves value sustainability. An office waste reduction initiative was introduced, double sided copying and printing is used wherever possible, lights are turned off in unused rooms, energy saving lightbulbs are used, printer cartridges are recycled and electronic equipment is programmed to power down or switch to energy saving mode when not in use.

The firm runs a plastic milk bottle top collection recycling scheme for the local community and are designing and forming vegetable allotments in the Petersfield office garden for keen staff to collectively grow produce and share the results.  They are planning on opening part of their garden to local youth groups to encourage youngsters to learn how to grow their own produce.

Many of you will have heard of the national Greening Campaign (www.greening-law.co.uk), which aims to promote a more sustainable way of life.  By collective groups within communities agreeing to make small cost effective changes at home and work (such as turning off lights when leaving a room, washing at 30 degrees and so on), this has a huge impact on national reductions of carbon dioxide.  As individuals, many  of us  feel that we do not make any difference, but as a community we can do.  Greening Petersfield is the home of the Greening Campaign and the campaign has since been rolled out to 120 national communities.  Daltons is proud to support Greening Petersfield and the Greening Campaign.  In fact, Sarah plans to launch Greening Midhurst during 2009.

Daltons adds value to their existing client base by offering technical expertise as sustainable law specialists.

Daltons has an established base of clients committed to conducting their business on sustainable values.  As such, Daltons are able to offer an all encompassing sustainable service within this sector, as well as to any other business or individual inclined to “go green” wherever possible.  Legal clients not only seek value for money and good service but also have a ‘green conscience.’  By opting to instruct a firm like Daltons, clients are satisfying the growing trend of linking their personal and business affairs with like-minded firms that recognise and care for the future of the environment.

The firm has strong links with the sustainable sector which allows them to draw on expertise from other like minded professionals with a view to making any transaction as profitable and as “green” as possible.

Sustainable Law itself is a growth business area and already covers an array of legal issues ranging from:-

• biomass / biofuel contract drafting and negotiation;
• food supply contract drafting and negotiation;
• local supply chain contracts;
• national / multi-national company contract review and negotiation;
• woodland management contracts;
• advice concerning grants available from government;
• allotment lets;
• buying and selling land;
• renting land;
• smallholding advice;
• business support advice;
• local authority support advice;
• community project advice;
• risk assessments
• and more …

Daltons really is a law firm that practices what it preaches and adopts integrated, long-term thinking for the social, economic and environmental benefit of their clients and local and national community.
Daltons offer a full range of private and commercial legal services.  Please see their website for details of other practice areas (www.daltons-law.co.uk) or call at anytime to discuss your requirements (01730 262816).  They offer a 30 minute free initial consultation so as well as satisfying your ‘green conscience’ it will also suit the pocket!

Your past, present and ‘sustainable’ future

The move to limited company status is part of a strategic plan developed by the partners Michael Dalton and Rebecca Hawkins.

“Limited companies are now often viewed as the best way forward for dynamic firms such as ourselves. Our conversion is a progressive move and part of our strategic planning that will ensure we continue to expand as a client-focused law firm,” said Rebecca.

“By becoming a limited company, we are continuing to keep pace with a fast-moving and highly regulated environment. It is especially crucial that we plan for our future at a time when high street firms are fighting for survival. Despite challenging times, the firm has expanded organically in recent months with the recruitment of two commercial property specialists, one of whom is well known locally for her expertise in agricultural and equine cases”

The move has been positively received by clients who see Daltons as a modern law firm that retains traditional values and a deliberate presence on the High Street, according to Michael, and has been confirmed through independent client satisfaction surveys.

“We are a client-led firm and this just confirms our commitment to growth and development. We ensure that we consistently meet our clients’ high expectations so that they receive an exceptional service from a dedicated and happy team of lawyers.”

For further details, contact Gill Moss-Bowpitt on 01730 262816 or by email gillmb@daltons-law.co.uk

At Daltons, we have strong links with the equestrian community both locally and on a national level. We contribute articles to leading equestrian publications and publicly speak on equine law.

Our equine lawyers are horse owners and riders, and they have a personal understanding of the issues, which matter to the equine community.

You can visit out new Equine Law website here: http://www.equinelawyer.co.uk/

Child consultations can be useful in helping parents focus on their children, and not on the dispute. Rebecca says “statistics show that children feel completely isolated during their parents’ separation, and many are never consulted about arrangements that potentially have huge consequences for a child. Parents very often underestimate the anxiety that children feel and these consultations, which are carried out in private and do not involve parents, enable children to ask questions and contribute ideas. Central to this is the idea that the discussions are confidential - making the children feel important and valued, and in some cases at the child’s request, the parent might not be told what was discussed. The crucial thing is that the child has someone to talk to in a safe and neutral environment, which can lead to a reduction in tension in the home”. Parents have to give their initial consent to the private meetings taking place, and they have to commit to taking a non-punitive approach after the meeting, agreeing to try not to ‘force’ a child to report back to them.
Rebecca agrees that it is not suitable in all cases, and welfare issues have to be put first. But for many children, a consultation of this kind will be the only chance they have to be heard.

Mediation Now also offers dispute resolution services in a variety of situations - for separating couples, in children cases, for employer or employees, for large company dispute or for matters such as boundary disputes. Operating in a number of locations in Hampshire and West Sussex, it can offer a quick appointment. For more information contact 01730 266605, email info@mediation-now.co.uk or visit www.mediation-now.co.uk

Staff spent their lunchtimes designing and building an alpine scene, complete with model railway, which was used as a treasure hunt.

In addition, the current arrangement whereby a copy of the lease is the only additional requirement in the HIP for leasehold property sales is, from 1 January 2009, to be a permanent requirement. The temporary ‘first day marketing’ exemption is being abolished, meaning that a basic HIP must be in place before a property is marketed - providing certainty to consumers that a HIP will be available.

Michael said that agents will still be able to advise about properties they expect to come on the market, but not to market them. He also says that it seems odd that the Government are making marketing properties for sale even more difficult at a time when they should be doing everything possible to ease the pressure on the housing market.

There are other changes to the HIP regime of lesser significance which can be viewed at www.communities.gov.uk/publications/housing/propertyinformationquestionnaire

Daltons can now offer clients two new services: Agricultural Law and Equine Law. This is an exciting addition to our services, and what better place to promote it than the heart of East Hampshire!

Sarah Jordan provides you with our ‘Tips when buying agricultural or equestrian property’.

Sarah is predominantly a property solicitor and deals with all types of commercial and residential property transactions and issues.

Sarah will head agriculture and equine law at Daltons.  She has strong links with the rural community and so is well versed to understand and respond to their requirements.  Sarah also specialises in advising equestrian businesses and private individuals on the legal issues relating to horses and equestrian properties.

Sarah will be based at our Petersfield office and lives in Midhurst so has a local farming client base from the Meon Valley through to Petworth.  She has a local as well as national equestrian client base and writes legal columns for various national equestrian magazines.

Outside of work, Sarah leads an active life!  She is a keen equestrian, owning and competing her horse locally.  She is a regular spectator at Cowdray Park’s polo matches.  Sarah also enjoys walking, running, ski-ing and sailing.

Small Business Rate Relief applies where the Rateable Value (RV) of business premises is less than £15,000 (£21,500 in London). The amount of relief given depends on the value of the property, but broadly equates to 50 per cent relief where the RV is less than £5,000. The relief reduces on a sliding scale for RVs between £5,000 and Â£15,000.

Property owners are also reminded that changes to the reliefs from business rates were introduced on 1 April 2008. Subject to designated exemptions, empty business properties are now only exempt from business rates for the first three months that they are empty. Industrial and warehouse premises qualify for a six month exemption. After that, full business rates are normally payable.