453 Years & Counting: Guinness World Record Holder for the Oldest Law Firm in Operation

16 November 2023

Keeping the flame alive for a long time is not easy, especially for law firms as legal industry is tough and competitive. However, there is always an exception, and that exception is “Thomson Snell and Passmore”, a law firm that holds the Guinness World Record for being the oldest law firm, still standing after 453 years and counting.

History

Between the year 1570 to 1618

In 1570 Reverend Nicholas Hooper, who worked as a scrivener, drafter of documents, writing wills and property bonds, laid the foundation of this law firm in Tunbridge Wells and Dartford, Kent, a non-metropolitan county in the United Kingdom. The Hooper family continued the firm after his death in 1618 till the third generations.

Between 18th Century to late Victorian Era

After the demise of the Hooper family, in the 18th century, the Scoones family of Tonbridge took over the firm, steering it through tough legal waters and later Alleyne and Walker took the reins, and re-named the firm as “Alleyne and Walker” and carried the firm during the Victorian era.

After the death of Alleyne and Walker, the firm was taken up by John Thomas Freer in 1890 and ran under the name “Alleyne Morgan and Freer”.

And finally, after a duration of 49 years, and a series of transformations, the firm was bought by Templars and Passmore that led it to what it is today.

19th Century onwards

Due to the World War II, the firm practiced as two separate firms until 1968, and after a symbolic partnership the firm was officially named “Thomson, Snell, and Passmore”.

Presently, the firm operates in Tunbridge Wells and Thames Gateway, where it opened its office in 2005 providing legal services nationwide.

Firm’s services

The firm provides a wide range of services for businesses as well as individuals and is specialised in seven key areas. This includes Agriculture and Rural Property, Charities and not-for-profits, Construction and Engineering, Education, Food and Beverages, technology, transport, and logistics.

Previous Record Holders

In the long marathon of providing legal solutions, the previous record holder for the oldest law firm in operation, according to Guinness World Records, was a law firm called Pickering Kenyon.

The law firm began in 1561, nine years before the establishment of Thomson, Snell, and Passmore. However, after running strong for 434 years, they eventually closed their doors, making Thomson Snell and Passmore the standing champions in the legal marathon, securing their spot in Guinness World Record with a remarkable 453 years and counting.