Corporate Profiles

A leading Coventry law firm has seen a huge growth in property transactions as people take advantage of the Stamp Duty Holiday.

Band Hatton Button, based at Earlsdon Park and one of the largest firms in Coventry and Warwickshire, has seen a huge increase in conveyancing work as people look to save money by taking advantage of the Stamp Duty Holiday implemented by the government.

The firm’s investment in the very latest technology has helped it provide the highest level of service to clients as staff members continue to blend their time between office and home.

Experts at the firm have been using the latest IT equipment and telephone/communication systems which has enabled them to make a seamless transition from the office to homeworking and is helping service the increased level of demand.

The firm is now predicting that there will be an increase in other areas of property-based work, such as litigation, when the government’s freeze on residential and commercial evictions expires on May 31.

Band Hatton Button covers a wide range of legal issues for both businesses and individuals specialising in areas including residential and commercial conveyancing, mergers and acquisitions, wills and probate, commercial litigation, employment law and family law.

With experts across all areas of law, the firm can offer a bespoke service, which enables clients to approach the firm with specific problems and gain high-quality support and advice.

Band Hatton Button has 65 employees and works with clients across the country, including Coventry and Warwickshire, mainly gained through recommendations.

It acquired Richardson and Davies 18 months ago to increase its commercial property and litigation reach across Coventry and Warwickshire.

The firm’s reputation is underpinned by its internationally recognised ISO, Lexcel and CQS accreditations, which demonstrate thoroughness, accuracy and efficiency in the advice it provides and the way in which it works.

A significant number of its departments together with some key lawyers have been commended in the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners, legal directories which ranks the most outstanding law firms/ lawyers in the UK.

John French, Partner and Head of Litigation at Band Hatton Button, said: “We have always had a forwardthinking approach when it comes to IT, so when lockdown began, we already had systems in place which meant colleagues could begin working from home straight away and continue to provide the very highest quality of service at all times.

“This change in working means that colleagues will have increased flexibility when restrictions are eased as they will be given the opportunity to choose to work from home or in the office.

“The sheer diversification and wide-ranging expertise of the business means we have been able to service the needs of our clients throughout the pandemic.

“We have seen a huge increase in property related matters and expect a deluge of litigation going forward, as landlords seek to chase substantial rent arrears and recover possession of their properties.

“We have also sadly seen an increase in our wills and probate services as a result of the pandemic and have provided the highest quality legal and emotional support to some very vulnerable people.

“We have a wide range of high-quality staff covering all aspects of the law, some of whom have been with us for more than 30 years, providing us with a very strong backbone of knowledge and experience.

“We aim to provide excellent legal services with a human touch, giving clients understandable information rather than corporate jargon, and we are extremely proud that around 50% of our business comes from referrals.”

Further information about the firm is available at https://www.bandhattonbutton.com

Flurry of activity as Stamp Duty Holiday deadline approaches

“We have always had a forward-thinking approach when it comes to IT, so when lockdown began, we already had systems in place which meant colleagues could begin working from home straight away and continue to provide the very highest quality of service at all times.”

‘Millionaire’ contract part of Kopek’s growth

A Nuneaton security firm has diversified as a result of the pandemic, expanding its range of services to provide an extensive ‘one stop shop’ for clients – something which has even attracted business from the TV and film industry.

Kopek Security provides a wide range of services including manned security guards and stewards, security dogs, mobile CCTV units, keyholding, asset protection, high value vehicle escorts, maritime security, void property inspection, emergency response and close protection.

The company, which was established in 2018, operates nationwide with a total of 168 members of staff and prides itself on providing a tailored service to meet the needs of its clients.

Kopek Security’s high-standard, which has been approved by the SIA, has seen the company secure contracts with businesses and organisations including universities, councils, well-known property builders and film production companies across the country.

The company has also been asked to provide security guards for ITV’s Who Wants to be a Millionaire phone-afriend candidates.

Kopek Security is now seeing a particular increase in interest in its keyholding services for both commercial and residential properties.

All keys are stored in a secure safe, and the firm’s rapid response units are on call 24-hours-a-day to respond to emergency alarms.

Anthony Johnson, of Kopek Security, said: “Our security patrol and asset protection services have always been popular with clients.

“They see our guards provide a visual presence at areas such as business parks and other commercial premises or provide asset protection for sectors such as the construction industry, mainly during the night.

“This service proved particularly popular around Christmas when our patrol cars were enlisted to shadow high value HGVs transporting the new PS5 and latest iPhone models.

“But we are now seeing more clients take an interest in our key holding services which involves colleagues from our rapid response unit attending properties with our security dogs when emergency alarms are triggered.

“They check the property and remain there should the police need to be called. At less than £1 per day, it’s a service which provides great peace of mind to our clients.

“We’re also a supporter of local charities and are very proud to offer keyholding to Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice free of charge as a way of giving back to the community.”

Anthony added: “The Covid-19 pandemic has been a real rollercoaster for us. Event security used to be one of our primary specialisms, but since lockdown began in March last year we’ve worked hard to diversify and position ourselves as a one-stop-shop for security.

“While we haven’t been working on many events, we were extremely pleased to be named as a City of Culture 2021 preferred supplier, with one of our first jobs being providing SIA guards and stewards as well as overnight asset protection for the ice rink event at the Cathedral ruins.

“The pandemic has meant we have seen an increase in the need for security guards as working from home has resulted in many commercial premises laying vacant for longer periods of time.

“We’ve also had a presence at some university campus and accommodation blocks to help ensure Covid-19 restrictions are being followed.

“But with the further easing of lockdown on the horizon, we already have some exciting projects in the pipeline, including working with Birmingham Hippodrome on their outdoor events.

“We also look forward to continuing our work for Coventry City of Culture 2021 and providing security support during what will be a very exciting year for the city and the wider region.”

“They see our guards provide a visual presence at areas such as business parks and other commercial premises or provide asset protection for sectors such as the construction industry, mainly during the night.”

Read all about it…

new hotel opens in former newspaper office

Coventry’s Telegraph Hotel is all set to make its long-awaited debut – but has already made its impact on the social scene.

Based in the heart of the city centre, the eagerly-awaited hotel has been created in the former newspaper headquarters of the Coventry Telegraph.

After months of waiting, it opened its rooftop bar – Generators – back in April to huge success and now the hotel will open fully under strict Covid-19 safety measures on May 17.

The hotel has been transformed thanks to a two-year, £18 million investment programme by Complex Development Projects and celebrates the cool Mid-Century style of the building.

Exuding style, class and charisma, the Telegraph Hotel encompasses a 1950s design that will be simply unforgettable for those visiting - whether it’s for business or pleasure.

It features 88 beautifully designed bedrooms that are fully air-conditioned, while several of them are duplex penthouse suites, along with large doubles and twins.

The Telegraph’s most luxurious space is the Lord Iliffe Suite – which features its very own hot tub and terrace.

There is also the spectacular Winter Garden – which is made up of 11 bedrooms overlooking a private, glazed indoor terrace only accessible from these rooms.

The Telegraph Hotel also features an all-day bar and restaurant dining experience – Forme & Chase – for a meal, light bites, celebration dinners, afternoon tea and more.

The south-facing Generators rooftop bar overlooking Belgrade Plaza offers a year-round seasonal experience

Operated by Bespoke Hotels, the largest independent hotel company in the UK, The Telegraph Hotel also features the latest conference technology.

Conferencing, meetings, weddings and events are well catered for at the Telegraph Hotel with the Editors function space - a large and versatile room, capable of accommodating up to 140 guests across a range of layouts. On the third floor, you can find two private rooms – the Boardroom and Directors – which can each accommodate up to 12 people for smaller meetings and dinner.

“Conferencing, meetings, weddings and events are well catered for at the Telegraph Hotel with the Editors function space - a large and versatile room, capable of accommodating up to 140 guests across a range of layouts.”

What makes the hotel even more appealing is the excellent transport links with it being just four miles away from J3, four miles from J2 and nine miles from J3A of the M6. It is also just ten miles from Birmingham Airport and the NEC.

The hotel is also opening at a major time in the history of the city with the national spotlight on UK City of Culture 2021.

For further information about the Telegraph Hotel or to book a stay or meal visit www.telegraph-hotel.com People can also keep up-to-date with news and events on the Telegraph Hotel social media pages @CovTelHotel on Instagram and Twitter and follow Telegraph Hotel on Facebook.

Home-working triggers boom in adverse possession

A premier law firm has seen a boom in adverse possession applications as the COVID-19 pandemic has meant millions of people are spending more time at home, resulting in a sharpened understanding of how they use their outside space.

Lodders Solicitors LLP, which has offices in Stratford-upon-Avon, Birmingham, Cheltenham and Henley-in-Arden, has seen adverse possession, or squatters’ rights, become something of a hot topic in recent months.

With many people spending more time at home than ever before, homeowners are realising they have been using part of their neighbour’s garden for years and are therefore keen to become registered as the legal owner.

The Dispute Resolution team at Lodders has been guiding an increasing number of clients through the process.

Ellie Crofts, a Senior Associate at Lodders who specialises in propertyrelated disputes, said: “Adverse possession can be tricky to navigate, so getting professional advice is a key part of the process.

“In order to apply for adverse possession of land, there are four principal elements which must be satisfied.

“This includes physical occupation of the land, ideally with the land being fenced off; the intention to occupy the land as one’s own to the exclusion of all others, including the legal owner; occupation of the land without the consent of the legal owner and occupation for the required period of time.

“The method of application for adverse possession differs depending on whether the land in question is registered at the Land Registry or unregistered.

“For registered land, an applicant must show they have occupied the land for at least 10 years. This rises to 12 years for unregistered land, and even further to 30 years where the relevant land is owned by the Crown.

“However, with registered land, the applicant has additional requirements to overcome for a successful application, which were introduced by the Land Registration Act 2012.”

Ellie added: “Regardless of whether the land is registered or unregistered, all applications must be supported by evidence.

“This can include physical evidence such as fencing, changes in planting on agricultural land, showing a change between grass and cropland, evidence of historic walls or fences and hedges.

“Photographs showing enclosure over time can also be used. For instance, in residential properties it is common to have photographs of family in the garden over the years, or of building works carried out, and aerial photographs or Google Earth images can also be very useful.

“Statements from the occupiers of the land and neighbours with relevant knowledge can provide witness evidence. Statements from predecessors in title are also crucial if the current owner has not been in occupation of the land for the relevant time period.

“So although complex, Lodders’ property dispute specialists are experts at advising and guiding clients through the whole adverse possession application process, and we would welcome anyone with further questions to get in touch.”

Lodders has 26 partners and more than 160 fee earners and support staff across its office network.

With its portfolio of sector and market specific top-ranking legal teams, the firm has recorded year-onyear growth in recent years. For more information, visit www.lodders.co.uk.

Further information about adverse possession applications is available by contacting Ellie Crofts by calling 01789 206 148 or emailing ellie.crofts@lodders.co.uk

“Adverse possession can be tricky to navigate, so getting professional advice is a key part of the process.”