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About Us

Who we are

PainSmith Solicitors specialise in property law. We are different from more traditional firms of solicitors where individuals are frequently moved between departments or cover a large number of different areas of law. Since all of the team in PainSmith work in residential and commercial property they have practical experience and knowledge that is unmatched elsewhere in the legal sector. We are not simply ‘eviction specialists’ although we are one of the leaders in that area. PainSmith has particular strengths in more complex areas of property law such as residential agricultural tenancies, residential lettings, tenancy deposits and residential and commercial long leases. We strive to maintain a close working relationship with our clients and aim to understand the business and needs of individual clients to improve the way in which we interface with each client’s organisation.

We will give strong advice where necessary based upon our professional skill and judgment and will not shrink from telling unwelcome truths. We will counsel you against any course of action which in our opinion would be ill-advised for legal or commercial reasons. We will not encourage you to carry forward litigation in order to build our reputation if that is not in your best interests. Where possible we offer solutions to problems through lateral thinking. PainSmith seek to make working with the client as simple as possible. We want to be as open as possible in our dealing with clients so that you can be confident in our services.

People

Marveen Smith

Solicitor

Marveen Smith was one of the founders of PainSmith Solicitors in 2001 and has been the only Principal of PainSmith Solicitors a niche firm who are specialists in property law since 2006.

Marveen Smith

Marveen Smith was one of the founders of PainSmith Solicitors in 2001 and has been the only Principal of PainSmith Solicitors a niche firm who are specialists in property law since 2006. Marveen has a background in accountancy and tax; forging a second career in law by qualifying as a Solicitor before starting her own practice. As well as working in her legal practice daily Marveen is one of the trainers for ARLA and other organisations presenting legal courses throughout the country; giving presentations at regional meetings for ARLA; and at seminars for landlords. Marveen has made regular appearances on Money Box for Radio 4 and Watchdog where she endeavoured to balance the one sided view of letting agents that can be presented by the media, as well as disseminating information to enable landlords to act in a more professional capacity. Marveen was the first person to establish a legal helpline for landlords and agents; and to offer both standard and bespoke documents designed specifically for the lettings industry. Today PainSmith offers a wide choice of legal documents to satisfy the requirements of both relocation companies, letting agents and landlords.

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Laura Simpson

Solicitor

Laura qualified as a Solicitor in 2019 after successfully completing her period of recognised training with PainSmith. She joined the firm in 2016 as a Paralegal.

Laura Simpon

Laura qualified as a Solicitor in 2019 after successfully completing her period of recognised training with PainSmith. She joined the firm in 2016 as a Paralegal having completed the Legal Practice Course at the University of Law and obtaining a degree in Law and Business at the University of Portsmouth.

She has experience and knowledge across a range of property litigation matters including dilapidations disputes, deposit disputes, forfeiture and possession claims, and recovery of arrears, as well as enfranchisement and lease extensions.  Since qualifying she has extended her knowledge of leasehold enfranchisement and lease extensions and endeavours to find practical solutions to the many issues that arise in this field.

Her understanding of business ensures that she produces practical commercial solutions to client’s problems.

Laura is an experienced advisor on our legal helpline, her experience and knowledge is invaluable in overseeing the work of junior members of staff.

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Danniella Lucien

Solicitor

Danniella qualified as a Solicitor at PainSmith in June 2024. Danniella Lucien obtained a First Class Honours degree in History and Politics at Nottingham Trent University before deciding to become a solicitor.

Danniella Lucien

Danniella Lucien obtained a First Class Honours degree in History and Politics at Nottingham Trent University before deciding to become a solicitor. Since joining PainSmith as a Paralegal, Danniella has gained substantial knowledge and is able to confidently handle her own caseload and regularly assists landlords and agents with possession claims and the recovery of arrears.

Danniella successfully completed the Solicitors Graduate Apprenticeship at The University of Law undertaking the Solicitors Qualifying Examination, the new centralised way to qualify as a Solicitor in England and Wales.

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Matt Edwards

 Solicitor

Matt qualified as a Solicitor at PainSmith in October 2023.

Matt Edwards

Matt is a Solicitor at PainSmith.

He completed his Law degree at Aberystwyth University in 2018 before undertaking the Legal Practice Course at the University of Law in Guildford. Before joining PainSmith as a Paralegal in October 2020, Matt worked as a Legal Assistant for a local authority.

Matt is able to provide landlords, managing agents and tenants advice on a wide range of topics including, rent arrears, possession actions and property disrepair.

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Emma Somerset

Consultant Solicitor

Emma qualified as a solicitor in 2010 after completing her academic training at Bournemouth University and the University of Law, Guildford.

Emma Somerset

Emma qualified as a solicitor in 2010 after completing her academic training at Bournemouth University and the University of Law, Guildford.

After undertaking her training contract at a large firm on the south coast she began her career with same firm before joining PainSmith in November 2012. Emma worked for PainSmith for over 10 years and is now a Consultant Solicitor.

Emma specialises in all aspects of property litigation and regularly acts for landlords and landowners in connection with dilapidations disputes, forfeiture and possession claims, land registration disputes, building and boundary disputes, and recovery of arrears and other debts.

Emma has been praised for her ability to quickly understand her clients’ objectives and for offering commercial, pragmatic advice in a straightforward manner.

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Tanaka Chinyere

Paralegal
 

Tanaka Chinyere

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Dan Kimber

Paralegal
 

Dan Kimber

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 Hannah Feibusch

Paralegal
 
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PainSmith Dogs

PainSmith Dogs

Morag and Hamish

Morag and Hamish were Border Terriers. Morag was the office dog for seventeen years and Hamish for ten years. Sadly, they both died within six months of each other. Hamish had a gall bladder operation which had complications. He did not recover. Morag died of old age.

They have not been replaced but there are now new dogs who visit the office. The rest of the time they spend at home with Marveen’s husband Graham running round the garden and sleeping.

Dougal (“Dougie”)

Dougie is seven months old and is a well-bred Border Terrier like Hamish and Morag. He appeared quite timid when Marveen and Graham first saw him. Probably lulling them into a false sense of security. He showed his true colours within three days. He is a very industrious puppy who spends his time looking for mischief. He is very secure and assumes he is popular because he is cute and cuddly. Spends as much time on Graham’s knee as possible being cuddled. He is coping with the responsibility of being the office dog.

Skye and Bonnie

Both are Border Terriers and recently came to live with Marveen and Graham and have been adopted by PainSmith Solicitors. Bonnie is thirteen years old and is the light-coloured dog. Skye is twelve years old whose colour is called Blue. She is blue and tan Border and, is twelve years old. They have been together all their life with one owner who recently died. They were sent to a rescue kennels, but Marveen heard about them from her daughter who is an equine surgeon. Not wanting them to be separated and for them to have a good home they have now joined PainSmith and live with Marveen and Graham.

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Working with us

We want to make working with us as simple as possible. This section sets out much of what you will need to know about how we operate and what you can expect from us. We want to be as open as possible in our dealing with clients so that you can be confident in our services.

You may be aware of The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and Money Laundering Regulations 2007. These pieces of legislation require us to take reasonable steps to confirm your identity and place of residence. As a firm of Solicitors we have no choice but to comply with this legislation and failure to do so constitutes a criminal offence. Therefore, as a client of PainSmith Solicitors you will need to provide suitable identity information for us to confirm your identity and place of residence.  We cannot commence any substantial work on your behalf until they have been received.

In a lot of cases we can confirm your identity by an online database search. We will send you a form to complete to allow us to do this or you can download it here. We cannot confirm your identity using a database search if you do not reside in the UK or are not an individual (ie a company or trust). In some cases we will be unable to confirm your identity using our online database search. This is particularly the case for people who hold limited assets in their own name or who have lived at a number of different addresses recently and is in no way a reflection on your honesty or legal status.

If we are unable to use a database search to confirm your identity we will need you to provide us with 1 original document from List A below to confirm your identity and 1 different original document from List B to confirm your place of residence. Alternatively, we will accept certified copies from your accountant, solicitor, banker, doctor or other suitably qualified person with an original letter from that person referring to your certified enclosures. We will then copy the documentation and retain certified copies. The originals will be returned to you upon the day of receipt by recorded delivery.

 

List A

    • Current signed passport
    • Current full driving licence – not provisional driving licences
    • Inland Revenue C1S4
    • Benefit book / original letter from the benefits agency confirming entitlement
    • Firearms certificate
    • A cheque drawn on an account in the name of the client with a Bank in UK or EEA

List B

    • Electoral register entry
    • Local Authority Council Tax Bill for the current year
    • A recent (last 3 months) Gas, Electricity, Water, or similar utility bill (Please note that we cannot accept emailed or other electronic bills)
    • Driving licence – unless already used as List A identification
    • A current building society passbook
    • A current bank statement(Please note that we cannot accept emailed or other electronic bank statements)
    • Current local council or housing association tenancy agreement or rent card
    • Recent mortgage statement from a recognized lender
    • Solicitor’s letter confirming a recent house purchase or land registry confirmation of address
    • Benefit book or original letter from Benefits Agency confirming entitlement
    • Inland Revenue self assessment statement or tax demand
    • House or motor insurance certificate

If you are a company and are quoted on the London Stock Exchange, please also send us a certified copy of your Certificate of Incorporation. If you are not quoted on the London Stock Exchange please also provide us with 2 of the following:

    • Memorandum & Articles of Association
    • Certificate of Incorporation
    • Latest accounts
    • Latest annual return
Non Discrimination Policy

As with all solicitors PainSmith operates a strict equal opportunities and anti-discrimination policy. A copy of our policy can be downloaded in adobe pdf format below.

Download Anti-Discrimination Policy

 

Find out about our

Complaints Procedure

Quick Links

Registered address

PainSmith Solicitors,
1 Mansfield Business Park,
Station Approach,
Lymington Bottom Road,
Medstead, Hampshire
GU34 5PZ

Contact us

Nice to know

Authorised and Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA Number 562686)

Painsmith Solicitors Limited trading as Painsmith Solicitors, Director: Marveen Smith. Registered No. 07617210.

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