March has proven to be a bumper month for Nockolds LLP Solicitors, receiving recognition from their staff, clients and trainees through the following awards:
The Weston Homes Professional Business Partner Award
The Times Two Star Accreditation as an “Outstanding Employer”
Nominated for Best Recruiter—Medium Regional Firm through lawcareers.net Training and Recruitment Awards.
The Weston Homes Professional Business Partner Award is an annual event when Weston staff nominate the firms considered to provide consistent levels of excellent service in their field. The Professional Service Category covers organisations that support and advise Weston Homes in legal, financial, and other specialist areas.
“This is truly a fantastic achievement for the entire Firm but particularly to those teams and individuals that deal with Westons on a regular basis, especially the Commercial Property and Plot Sales Team. We are exceptionally proud to have won this award and appreciate the high calibre of all the nominees.”
Michael Talbot, Partner
The Times Best Companies Accreditation system surveys employees and, based on their responses, awards Michelin-style Star Status to organisations.
Nockolds received the “Outstanding” Two Star Accreditation alongside national law firms Mischon De Reya in London and JMW Solicitors in Manchester.
Nockolds has also been nominated for a further award, for Best Recruiter with lawcareers.net Training and Recruitment Awards. This category recognises firms that operate good recruitment practices. There are six firms that have been nominated and we will find out the result at an awards ceremony in London on 24 May.
“Winning awards is a fantastic accolade for any firm and to win two and be nominated for another is simply outstanding. The whole team at Nockolds Solicitors are committed to maintaining the highest standards in terms of delivering the highest service to clients, adhering to our client care policies and rewarding our staff .”
Darren Hayward, Managing Partner
Darren Hayward (profile) 
Michael Talbot (profile) 
Sue Stevenson (profile) 
Monday 7th May 2012
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This week Nockolds Solicitors received official confirmation that Alfonso Valero, Solicitor and Spanish Abogado, is ranked in the Global Chambers publication as a “Leading Practitioner” within two categories Dispute Resolution (UK and Spain) and Intellectual Property (UK and Spain).
The Chambers Global Publication researches into the strengths and reputations of law firms and individuals. Their methodology has been approved by the British Market Research Bureau. This intensive, continuous research identifies the world’s leading lawyers and law firms - those which perform best according to the criteria most valued by clients. No lawyer can buy their way into Global Chambers rankings. As a result, the directories - published annually - are known to be the most accurate and the most reliable.
“We are immensely proud of the recognition that Alfonso has received through his international work with clients at Nockolds. Alfonso is ranked alongside some of London’s “Magic Circle” firms which is an outstanding achievement for a Hertfordshire based firm.”
Darren Hayward, Managing Partner.
Nockolds International Team was established in 2005 and provides a unique combination of skills through Alfonso as a dual qualified Solicitor and Spanish Abogado and Dalila Segador, a Certified Legal Translator in English, Spanish, Portuguese and Italian.
For more information concerning Alfonso’s Ranking please go to http://www.chambersandpartners.com/Global/Firms/5120-46041/871721
Alfonso Valero (profile) 
Sunday 15th April 2012
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This year the charity team at Nockolds LLP Solicitors selected the St Elizabeth’s Centre as their charity of the year following a visit to the Centre in 2011.
“St Elizabeth’s Centre is an amazing place and meeting the residents was both humbling and inspiring. There is a great team working up at the Centre and the staff are so clearly devoted to the needs of the clients. We have a very ambitious fundraising target and hope to help the Centre with the purchase of a mini bus for the clients.” Clare Moreton, Solicitor.
During the day’s activities Sister Annette from St Elizabeth’s provided an overview of the background to the Centre and how St Elizabeth’s came into being.
If you would like to join Nockolds in their fundraising efforts for St Elizabeth’s Centre then please contact charities@nockolds.co.uk
Clare Moreton (profile) 
Debbie Tarling (profile) 
Janette Wand (profile) 
Jo Rogers (profile) 
Monday 2nd April 2012
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An interesting validity dispute came before the High Court recently. Olga Smith, the estranged widow of Thomas Joseph Smith, claimed that his last Will, which left nothing to her, his wife, was invalid due to Mr Smith not having sufficient mental capacity at the time that he made his Will. Mr Smith died as a result of a brain tumour. His widow claimed that the brain tumour caused disturbances to Mr Smith’s mind so that he was unable to understand the full nature and effects of the act of making his new Will, and caused him to make a Will that he would not have made had he been in “his right mind”.
Olga Smith described a pattern of irrational behaviour which she said led to their separation, which included Mr Smith dressing in her clothes and assaulting her.
However, Mrs Smith’s claim failed. The Judge found that there was insufficient evidence that Mr Smith did not have mental capacity to make his last Will. In cases where mental capacity is an issue, medical evidence is crucial. Evidence which is usually taken into account is the deceased’s historic medical records giving details of any signs of loss of memory or mental illness, and the testimony of treating doctors and physicians. Whilst it is not known what evidence, apart from her own, Mrs Smith put forward to the Court, the Judge was not convinced.
Mr Smith’s Will was upheld and Olga Smith was ordered to pay her opponent’s legal costs which were substantial.
Validity disputes relating to Wills are becoming more commonplace.Should you require any assistance or advice with regard to either challenging a Will, or defending such a challenge, please contact our specialist Probate Dispute Resolution Team by visiting http://www.nockolds.co.uk/sector-expertise/contentious-probate.htm.
Daniel Winter (profile) 
Wednesday 21st March 2012
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Women in Business (WIB) is a professional women’s membership group set up to empower business women in the area and enable networking and promotion of their businesses.
The group, established in 1997, has seen its membership grow over the years. It was initially set up by the highly respected Diana Smillie and, under the new leadership of Bilyana Zilic - Munic, Commercial Solicitor at Nockolds, it continues to expand.
WIB meets 5 times a year at various venues in the local area for lunch. Each lunch has a speaker who imparts knowledge, advice and their own experience of being in business and sometimes just helpful tips for everyday life. Over the years we have had the pleasure of listening to some fantastic speakers, such as Virginia Munro and Chris Barnado of ‘The Wand Company’ and Anni Ridsill-Smith of Airate.
Bilyana appreciates we all need some “downtime” and in May 2007 WIB went to France for the day to celebrate the group’s 10 year anniversary. It was a very enjoyable and relaxing day. Bilyana hopes to be able to offer another fantastic treat for members to enjoy this year as WIB celebrates 15 years of success as a group.
There is a keen interest expressed in this group and as a result the number of members continues to increase. Bilyana already has plans for more motivational speakers and entrepreneurs from the area, making the meetings even more beneficial to local business women.
If you are interested in coming to one of the WIB events and would like to become a member, please email Lara Ibbostson-Smith on lara@nockolds.co.uk to receive information about upcoming events.
Bilyana Zilic-Munic (profile) 
Tuesday 20th March 2012
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