News & Insights
Welcome Emmie
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
On Wednesday 21 October, we’ll be supporting Wear It Pink Day, helping to raise awareness and vital funds for breast cancer research. This year is especially significant as Breast Cancer Now celebrates the 25th anniversary of Wear It Pink.
More than 55,000 people are diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK every year, and early detection can save lives. That’s why it’s so important to know the signs, check regularly, and seek medical advice if you notice any changes.
By wearing pink and raising awareness, we can help support the incredible work of charities such as Breast Cancer Now and CoppaFeel!, while encouraging more people to check their chest and get to know what’s normal for them.
Wear it pink with us on Wednesday 21 October and help make a difference.
Suicide Prevention Month
As we come to the end of September, we want to recognise and raise awareness surrounding Suicide Prevention Month.
World Suicide Prevention Day was established in 2003 by the International Association for Suicide Prevention in partnership with the World Health Organization with the aim to change the narrative on suicide and spread shared belief that suicides are preventable.
The charity Mind focuses on raising awareness about the issues surrounding suicide and this is an opportunity to signpost support for people experiencing these feelings, or with concerns about someone they know. It is important that workplaces are a safe and open space where people are able to have these difficult conversations.
Statistics
In 2024 there were 200,000 suicide attempts.
125 people pass away by suicide every week.
650 suicides in the UK each year could be work related.
Suicide is the biggest killer in men under 50, and the rate for young women under 24 is the highest it has ever been.
Keeping those statistics in mind, it is important that there is a non-stigmatising culture in the workplace, where people feel they have a safe space to talk. Below are some useful contacts for anyone who is having or knows someone who is having suicidal thoughts.
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) – online helpline and WhatsApp chat 0800 58 58 58
Samaritans – 24/7 helpline.
National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK – a supportive listening service.
Shout – confidential 24/7 text service for those in need of immediate help.
James’ Place – free therapy and support for men age 18 + in suicidal crisis.
Maytree Suicide Respite Centre – free respite stays for those in suicidal crisis.
Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide – support groups for anyone bereaved or affected by suicide.
Mind are campaigning to ensure that everyone experiencing a mental health problem gets the support and respect, they deserve.
East Kent Mind is our charity of the year and their website highlights many ways you can help and support.
Talking about suicide can feel difficult, but open and compassionate conversations can help reduce the silence and stigma that can stop people from asking for support.
Happy Retirement
Happy retirement to Elaine who has been with the firm for 19 years.
We had a lovely lunch send off for her full of lovely presents and an amazing spread.
Congratulations
Congratulations Jamie Lartice.
We are so proud of Jamie who has passed his Business Administrator Level 3 Apprenticeship with a Distinction.
Jamie is our first apprentice and the youngest member of Team Tassells but he has been an integral member of the team since day one.
Not only is he a very clever cookie he also has an incredible attitude and helps across all areas of the business from accounts to putting forward marketing ideas.
Congratulations Jamie – we are so very proud of you.
Welcome back
A massive welcome back (or content de te revoir) to Delen Fernando who returns to us as a secretary in our Residential Conveyancing team.
Delen is our 4th returner to Team Tassells this year.
Let the French speaking reconvene.
Congratulations
A huge congratulations to our superstar Poppy Harvey who has today successfully passed the Advanced Stage of her CILEx qualification.
We are so proud of you.
Congratulations
A huge congratulations to our boy Perry Dobbins.
Last week Perry graduated from the University of Kent with a Masters of Law (Solicitors’ Practice), achieving a First Class Honours.
Perry is now working towards his SQE and we can’t wait to see his career progress.
Congratulations
A huge congratulations to Ella Weeks-Pearson who has passed her first year of her Masters SQE preparation course.
Welcome Elizabeth.
A very warm welcome to Elizabeth Oben who joins us as a Paralegal in our Private Client team yesterday.
Elizabeth joins us full-time over the Summer ready to work part-time around her MLaw with Darren Weir at University of Kent from September.
Welcome Olivia
A huge welcome to Olivia McBride who joined us on Monday as a Legal Assistant in our Private Client team.
Olivia will be full time over the summer until she starts her MLaw course at University of Kent with Darren Weir in September.
Welcome back
Football may not be coming home …
But Sophie Wallace is.
Join us in welcoming Sophie back as an Associate in the Private Client team.
Here come the girls.
Congratulations
A huge congratulations to our Private Client team who were Highly Commended as Boutique Private Client Firm of the Year at the Modern Law Magazine Private Client Awards 2026.
We still find it hard to believe that we manage to get shortlisted for such impressive awards but to come Highly Commended in a national award over all areas of Private Client work is such praise for our small but mighty team and firm.
A huge thank you to Jade Gani and Gary Shaw for keeping us updated on the evening.
Welcome
A huge welcome today to Stacie Pettman who joins our Commercial Property team.
Stacie starts off our summer series entitled “Here comes the girls”, please join us with giving her a warm welcome.
Stacie is pictured with Head of Commercial Property Kylie White and joins Kylie and Joy in our growing Commercial team.
Happy Pride Month Everyone!
Tassells – “We are all just ordinary people, standing proud together. defending rights and celebrating Pride”
You don’t necessarily need to be wearing brightly coloured clothing, although thank you Harvey for the amazing outfit, to be visible and an ally to those in the LGBTQIA+ community. At Tassells, we are all allies and champion authenticity. We support each other every day, not just in June.
Why do we still need Pride you may ask. Labour MP Sir Chris Bryant spoke in the House of Commons last year about why Pride still matters, and we think his speech is spot on.
We needed it when people assumed a short haircut meant you were a lesbian, or a lisp meant you were gay. We needed it when people laughed at Larry Grayson and John Inman but forced them to hide their sexuality. We needed it when people said we should be harassed, arrested and locked up for loving who we wanted. We needed it when the police wore rubber gloves to arrest us just in case we gave them AIDS. We needed it when we were called queer and f***** and a*** bandit at school. We needed it when we were sneered at, spat at, punched, kicked and beaten up. And we need it now. When kids are still bullied because they are camp or butch. When families still throw their LGBTQ+ children out of the home. When many are so worn down by abuse that they take their own lives. When so many are terrified of coming out that they live lives of terrible crushing loneliness. When people are abused for wanting to transition. When our cousins in Hungary are denied the right to demonstrate. When the state police in many countries deliberately entrap homosexuals. When trans people are treated as less than human. When homosexuality is still illegal in 63 countries, including more than half in the commonwealth. Yes, we still need Pride.
Fantastic evening
A fantastic evening on Tuesday at Shepherd Neame Brewery supporting Daniel Bell-Drummond in his testimonial year.
Proud sponsors.
At Tassells, we believe in keeping our clients and community informed with timely updates and practical guidance. Our News & Insights page is a space where we share legal commentary, firm announcements, thought leadership, and updates on the issues that matter to you — from changes in the law to achievements across our team.
Whether you’re a long-standing client or simply exploring legal topics, you’ll find expert perspectives on everything from private client matters to wider developments in the legal landscape. Check back regularly to stay informed and connected.