About us

Boys & Maughan has been building lasting relationships with clients and providing them with first class advice for over two centuries.

On this page we explain some of our history. We often get enquiries about our charismatic head office, the Grade II* listed India House in Hawley Street, Margate. If you are a researcher or would simply like to know more about India House, email Ian Priston. For details of India House's famous Victorian resident, Phyllis Broughton, click here. 

You can trace a solicitor named Boys dating back to 1803. He was John Boys who was born in 1782 and admitted as a solicitor in the Trinity term of 1803. Following his admission, John Boys practised in partnership with Jacob Sawkins of Margate from 1803-05. From 1805-37 he practised alone and in 1837 he was joined in partnership by John Harvey Boys.

John Boys was for many years Justice of the Peace for the County of Kent and died in Margate on 13 January 1861, aged 79. John Harvey Boys also practised in Margate until his death on 29 May 1870, aged 55. Toke Harvey Boys was the son of John Harvey Boys and was admitted in the Michaelmas term of 1870. Following his admission he joined the firm of Boys and Boys until 1874 when he appears to have practised on his own account.

The firm Boys and Maughan came into existence in 1902 when Toke Harvey Boys was joined in partnership by C.E. Maughan. Toke Harvey Boys died on 12 February 1916 aged 72. The successor to the practice was Mr. Cyril Collingwood Maughan of Margate, whose photograph is displayed in one of our offices alongside a portrait of Toke Harvey Boys. Mr Collingwood was also Clerk to the Justices for the Petty Sessional Division of Margate, which, until 1972 met in the Old Town Hall. J.S.C. (Jack) Maughan died in 1970, the last of his line to be a solicitor. The early 19th century Thanet map displayed on the lower staircase at India House is signed on the back by John Harvey Boys and by "Thomas Snooks, his Clerk". Crayon lines on the map appear to represent the path of the new railways.

Boys & Maughan is a provincial solicitors firm with a total strength including partners and staff of around 163, practising at its main office at India House, Hawley Street, Margate and from branches at Birchington, Broadstairs, Canterbury Castle Street, Canterbury St George's Place and Ramsgate. In Hawley Street the firm maintains units specialising in family law and child care (No.2 & 4) and Litigation and Personal Injury (No.3). We also act as agency solicitiors at Thanet County Court. Boys & Maughan has at various times practised in Folkestone, Sandwich, Westbrook and Cliftonville. 

The firm is dedicated to the principle that solicitors should offer an accessible and friendly service with high quality advice and assistance available to those from all walks of life. From private individuals to businesses large and small you will be treated with the same attention, expertise and respect.

In addition to our position as the leading local conveyancing practice, we offer extensive professional experience in the local magistrates' and county courts. Legal advice and assistance is available on a wide variety of legal or financial matters including: buying or selling a property; housing / landlord and tenant; divorce and family;  children; adoption; personal injury; employment problems (employer and employee); wills; administration of estates; trusts; lasting powers of attorney; debt collection; and Court of Protection. 

Legal aid is offered in family work, and the offices at Margate are contracted with the Legal Aid Agency. Other payment schemes are offered including 'no win/no fee' arrangements.

Toke Harvey Boys might not recognise our methods of operation, but he would certainly appreciate our continuing commitment to service, skill and integrity.