Solicitor at Thomas Litigation
Jill Joanne Thomas
Solicitor
SRA ID: 136701
Jill grew up in Kent, achieving the highest grades in her A-levels and winning an open exhibition to read law at Trinity Law, Cambridge, a college noted for its lawyers. After Law Society finals at the College of Law in Guildford, Jill served her articles at Girlings in Canterbury before admission as a solicitor in 1987, going on to become a partner and head of litigation and opening the firm’s sixth branch office in Ashford. Jill has been a partner in the litigation team at CooperBurnett in Tunbridge Wells and a senior associate and a key member of the litigation team at Brachers LLP in Maidstone, a large regional firm noted for its commercial and property litigation in Kent, Sussex, Surrey and the South East. In 2011, Jill founded ThomasHaywood solicitors as a niche litigation and matrimonial firm. The firm was a finalist in the Kent Women in Business awards and ranked in Chambers and The Legal 500. In 2020, having specialised in civil, commercial and property litigation for over 35 years, Jill founded Thomas Litigation, a specialist litigation practice, Jill was one of the first commercial mediators to qualify with the ADR Group in 1992 and has an almost unbroken record of settling all the mediations she has conducted, which run well into three figures. Jill is highly sought after for that reason. She acted as a mediator for what was then the Court of Appeal in its pilot scheme. She is a member of the Property Litigation Association, a former director of the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce and chairman and committee member of its Maidstone Economic Development Group. She was also a governor of what is now North Kent College. Jill deals with property disputes, contract claims, professional negligence, intellectual property, insolvency, construction disputes, company disputes (including disputes between directors and shareholders) and partnership disputes. She is an experienced advocate, appearing in the High Court and County Court and in international arbitrations. A formidable negotiator, Jill relishes winning complex litigation. The advice she offers is constructive, practical and timely, based on an understanding of her clients’ circumstances and businesses, and includes pre-emptive advice to avoid litigation where appropriate, such as drafting documents including terms of business, shareholders’ agreements and declarations of trust.
Pantiles Chambers, 85 High Street, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN1 1XP
Licensed for 36 years
Practice Areas
IT & Intellectual Property, Housing & Property, Consumer, Dispute Resolution, Company & Commercial
- IT & Intellectual Property 8%
- Construction 8%
- Consumer 8%
- Commercial Property 8%
- Dispute Resolution 8%
- Housing & Property 17%
- Company & Commercial 42%
16 Client Reviews
Overall experience
- Value For Money
- Communication
- Initial Impressions
- Approachability
- Documentation Accuracy
- Legal knowledge
About Jill Joanne Thomas
Jill grew up in Kent, achieving the highest grades in her A-levels and winning an open exhibition to read law at Trinity Law, Cambridge, a college noted for its lawyers. After Law Society finals at the College of Law in Guildford, Jill served her articles at Girlings in Canterbury before admission as a solicitor in 1987, going on to become a partner and head of litigation and opening the firm’s sixth branch office in Ashford. Jill has been a partner in the litigation team at CooperBurnett in Tunbridge Wells and a senior associate and a key member of the litigation team at Brachers LLP in Maidstone, a large regional firm noted for its commercial and property litigation in Kent, Sussex, Surrey and the South East. In 2011, Jill founded ThomasHaywood solicitors as a niche litigation and matrimonial firm. The firm was a finalist in the Kent Women in Business awards and ranked in Chambers and The Legal 500. In 2020, having specialised in civil, commercial and property litigation for over 35 years, Jill founded Thomas Litigation, a specialist litigation practice, Jill was one of the first commercial mediators to qualify with the ADR Group in 1992 and has an almost unbroken record of settling all the mediations she has conducted, which run well into three figures. Jill is highly sought after for that reason. She acted as a mediator for what was then the Court of Appeal in its pilot scheme. She is a member of the Property Litigation Association, a former director of the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce and chairman and committee member of its Maidstone Economic Development Group. She was also a governor of what is now North Kent College. Jill deals with property disputes, contract claims, professional negligence, intellectual property, insolvency, construction disputes, company disputes (including disputes between directors and shareholders) and partnership disputes. She is an experienced advocate, appearing in the High Court and County Court and in international arbitrations. A formidable negotiator, Jill relishes winning complex litigation. The advice she offers is constructive, practical and timely, based on an understanding of her clients’ circumstances and businesses, and includes pre-emptive advice to avoid litigation where appropriate, such as drafting documents including terms of business, shareholders’ agreements and declarations of trust.
Languages Spoken: English, French
Contact Jill Joanne Thomas
Address
Thomas Litigation
Pantiles Chambers
85 High Street
Tunbridge Wells
Kent
TN1 1XP
Phone 01892342861
WebsiteResume
LICENSE
Country
Status
Acquired
Updated
United Kingdom
Currently Registered
01/10/87
16/06/23
We found no instances of professional misconduct for this solicitor
AWARDS
Name
Grantor
Date granted
Silver award
Best Businesswomen
2022
WORK EXPERIENCE
Title
Name
Duration
Partner
Thomas Litigation
2020-present
Partner
ThomasHaywood
2011-2020
Senior associate
Brachers
2003-2011
Partner
CooperBurnett
2002-2003
Partner (associate, solicitor and articled clerk)
Girlings
1985-2002
A refreshingly different experience
We had found ourselves in a dispute with a commercial occupier in our building, and whilst we've been trying to resolve it ourselves, it was a complex situation and we'd got to the stage where we needed some legal advice, and clarification on where we stood - as well as to understand our options going forward. In the past we'd tried contacting a number of firms including the big ones in Tunbridge Wells, and no one had been interested in helping us with an initial step of a review of documentation and consultation. Fortunately when we tried again, I found Jill - and working with her was a breath of fresh air. She fully appreciated our scenario and desired approach, and we agreed a fee cap for a review of all the documentation we'd gathered and a consultation which really helped firm up our understanding of the situation and position. It's also very reassuring now to know we have Jill on hand should we need to take anything further in future. I just wish we'd found Jill sooner!
Solicitor named in this review: Jill Joanne Thomas
A representative from Thomas Litigation Limited responded to this review on 21 November, 2023
Thank you for sharing your experience, Matthew. We're delighted to hear that Jill provided the thorough review and consultation you needed, offering clarity and a clear way forward in your complex situation. We greatly appreciate your kind words and are here to support you should any further assistance be required. Thank you for choosing our services.
Was this review helpful? Yes
Excellent performance Great to work with
Great job!
I am absolutely delighted with the help I received and I don’t know how to express my appreciation and gratitude and support!
Solicitor named in this review: Jill Joanne Thomas
A representative from Thomas Litigation Limited responded to this review on 17 July, 2023
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that you are absolutely delighted with the help you received. If you have any more questions or need further assistance in the future, please don't hesitate to reach out. Once again, thank you for choosing us, and we truly appreciate your feedback.
Was this review helpful? Yes
Best performance in my case
I will definitely recommend to anyone who needs legal help
Solicitor named in this review: Jill Joanne Thomas
A representative from Thomas Litigation Limited responded to this review on 17 July, 2023
Thank you for your kind review! We're delighted to hear that you will definitely recommend us to anyone who needs legal help. If you have any more questions or need further assistance in the future, please don't hesitate to reach out. We're here to help whenever you or anyone you know needs legal assistance. Once again, thank you for choosing us, and we're grateful for the opportunity to have served you.
Was this review helpful? Yes
Insurance litigation
I had an amazing experience will Jill, where she made almost impossible into possible. Highly recommended.
Solicitor named in this review: Jill Joanne Thomas
A representative from Thomas Litigation Limited responded to this review on 10 July, 2023
Thank you for your fantastic review, Supraya. We're thrilled to hear that Jill provided you with an amazing experience and went above and beyond to turn the seemingly impossible into a reality. We truly appreciate your recommendation and will be sure to share your kind words with Jill. If there's anything else we can assist you with in the future, please don't hesitate to reach out.
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Experience, attention to detail and professionalism
We were introduced to Jill to help us resolve a complex, high-value and long-running insolvency issue. It was an area that both us and our existing advisors had little experience in. Jill quickly set out a clear path and continues to help us every step of the way to a successful resolution. Due to the issue's complexity, we are using several firms to assist us and what sets Jill apart is not just her experience, attention to detail and professionalism, it is also that Jill is always available to answer all of our questions (no matter how simplistic or wrong-headed), keeps us fully informed at all times and consistently goes above and beyond.
Solicitor named in this review: Jill Joanne Thomas
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Jill is also one of the best mediators I have experienced
I have known Jill Thomas as a lawyer for many years. She is consistently at the top of her game. She is very good technically and bold when it comes to looking after her clients’ interests. Jill is also one of the best mediators I have experienced, settling many difficult cases with a calm, sensible approach.
Solicitor named in this review: Jill Joanne Thomas
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Outstanding experience
EXCELLENT AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICE - Working with Jill Thomas of Thomas Litigation was (and continues to be) an outstanding experience. Jill’s knowledge and years of experience are hugely beneficial and she pays particular attention to detail in our individual circumstances and requirements. We cannot highly recommend Jill Thomas of Thomas Litigation enough as we have and continue to use various services in connection with property, construction and engineering and contracts. It is always a pleasure to initially discuss the particular subject matter with Jill who in turn provides a brief overview on the next steps and deals with the matter in a timely manner. In our opinion Jill is very approachable, discreet and hardworking and has made communication easy when dealing with stressful and difficult circumstances.
Solicitor named in this review: Jill Joanne Thomas
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Highly recommended
Jill Thomas was highly recommended to me by a business colleague and friend when I needed a strong and expert litigator. I had not needed to engage someone with her skills for a long time so the personal recommendation was needed and appreciated. I found Jill to be highly knowledgable, calm and extremely reliable, her advice was clear and succinct which was extremely helpful when tactical decisions needed to be taken. Emails were responded to quickly and she inspired confidence from the outset. I would not hesitate to engage her to act for me if ever I needed similar help in the future.
Solicitor named in this review: Jill Joanne Thomas
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First-class litigation solicitor
As a client of Jill’s and having instructed her to act on my behalf in several cases, I have seen at first hand how her extensive experience and knowledge of the law, combined with a desire to obtain the best results for her clients, marks her out as a first-class litigation solicitor. I would much rather have her on my side than against me, whether in court proceedings or mediation. Jill likes to get to the bottom of a problem and understand her clients’ aims and aspirations, as well as the practicalities of the situation. I would recommend her highly for her insight and sharp mind. She is also user friendly and approachable. I wish I had found her years ago.
Solicitor named in this review: Jill Joanne Thomas
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A pleasure to deal with
I have worked with Jill on several esoteric corporate taxation insolvency cases requiring creative and commercial approaches, which Jill adopted robustly and practically. It is unusual to find a solicitor with her experience in these matters and her calm, technical proficiency makes her a pleasure to deal with in the sort of specialist matters in which I am instructed. I would not hesitate to recommend her.
Solicitor named in this review: Jill Joanne Thomas
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