Our history

"The most durable firm"

We can trace our history through all the partners back to 1570. The firm was founded then by Nicholas Hooper, a curate at Tonbridge Parish Church who set himself up as a "Scrivener and Drafter of documents, drawing up wills, charters and indentures." Although we are the oldest law firm in the world we are proud to be one of the most innovative firms as we move our entire IT infrastructure to the cloud.

  • 1550

    The original Will of Thomas Lamparde, drawn up on vellum by Nicholas Hooper in 1593

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  • 1600

    An example of the sense of humour and artistry of John Hooper, Notary -Public, is to be found in this capital ‘T’ at the opening of a conveyance penned by him in 1612.

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  • 1650

    Charles I of England in 1635 by Antoon van Dyck.

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  • 1700

    Bank of England is established in London in 1694.

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  • 1750

    The Pantiles, Tunbridge Wells, 1793*. Richard "Beau" Nash a Regency dandy and master of cermonies organises high society in Tunbridge Wells.
    (*engraving reproduced with the permission of the publishers of ‘Historical and Interesting Views of Tunbridge Wells’)

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  • 1800

    Articles of Partnership, 1836.

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  • 1850

    In 1859 Charles Darwin publishes "The Origin of Species".

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  • 1900

    Frederick William Snell in 1857, Founder of the firm, Snell & Co.

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  • 1950

    Queen Elizabeth II crowned at a coronation ceremony, 1953.

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  • 2000

    Thomson Snell & Passmore appoints James Partridge as the firm’s new Senior Partner, 2008

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