Our History

The firm was started in 1983 by Niel Martin-Kaye who turned his back on a lifetime in service to corporate legal departments to open a niche commercial law practice in a new, growing town called Telford. He wanted to take advantage of the influx of ‘inward investment’ and industry in the area.
The following year, Andrew Green and Graham Davies joined Niel to add property and litigation expertise to his own extensive experience in corporate law and intellectual property law. The firm was rebranded to Martin-Kaye and Partners on 1st May 1985.
In 1987, Barry Stimpson and Rob Hughes were recruited from the Telford Development Corporation and brought into the firm half of the old TDC property related work.
By 1990, the firm had grown considerably, but the partners realised that there was a large private client market that they should tap into. They merged with existing law firms, as well as growing organically from within. Amongst the mergers, was one with Thorn-Pudsey and Derry, who were a traditional firm with 150 years of history and based in Ironbridge and Dawley.
In 1991, Niel Martin-Kaye was instrumental in forming the International Advisory Group, which is today, one of the largest international networks of legal and accountancy firms in the world.
In 1992, with the help of Chris Cann, the firm merged with Liddle and Heane, who are another traditional local high street firm, with 200 years of history and based in Newport and Wellington.
As partners began retiring, the business was re-structured into five legal management areas that still exist today; Company/Commercial, Private Property, Claims, Probate and Family. Innovative use of technology helped the firm grow rapidly in the bulk supply areas of claims and re-mortgages.
Niel Martin-Kaye retired from the business in 1995 and sadly passed away in 2001.
In 2005, the Firm attained Lexcel and Investors in People Accreditation. The firm appears in the Legal 500 with mentions for Corporate, Intellectual Property, Commercial Property, Litigation and Personal Injury. The firm is ranked in the top 20 firms in the West Midlands.
Also in 2005, the firm received the Shropshire Chamber of Commerce Business Award for Innovation and Technology.
In 2006, it was runner-up in the Business of the Year Award. In the same year, the firm moved to its current Telford home at the Foundry, a purpose-built 16000 square foot building by Telford Central Train Station.
In 2008, the firm was runner-up in the Shropshire Chamber of Commerce Business Award for Innovation.
On 1st June 2010, the firm converted to Martin Kaye LLP to allow it to take advantage of the opportunities arising from the Legal Services Act.
In 2011, Martin Kaye LLP attained the Conveyancing Quality Scheme, which provides a recognised quality standard for residential conveyancing practices.
On 1st September 2013, the firm acquired offices at Bredon House in Wolverhampton to continue growth across the Midlands and the Black Country.
Following an increase in enquiries, in June 2018, the firm acquired offices at Bellstone Court in Shrewsbury to increase business opportunities in Shrewsbury, West Shropshire and Mid Wales. This provides a more convenient location for clients of the firm.
In March 2022, the firm moved its Shrewsbury office to St. John’s Hill, which is a more visible and prominent town centre location.

Our History

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