Mr Charlton

In the novel Hercule Poirot's Christmas, Mr Charlton is the solicitor of Simeon Lee. He works for the firm Charlton, Hodgkins & Bruce.

Mr Charlton is described as "an old-fashioned type of solicitor with a cautious blue eye".

At some point before the events of the novel, Mr Lee asked Mr Charlton to assist him in making arrangements for Pilar Estravados to come to England.

On Christmas Eve, Mr Lee makes a telephone call to Mr Charlton, while his family is in the room. Mr Lee says that he wants to make a new will, and asks Mr Charlton to come on Boxing Day or the day after. However, Mr Lee is killed before he can make this new will.

Mr Charlton later comes to Gorston Hall to read the will. He reads it "with a certain relish, lingering over its more obscure phraseology, and savouring its legal technicalities." He then excuses himself, as his experience enables him to "predict that all the ingredients for a family row" are present.

Portrayals
In the 1995 ITV adaptation of Hercule Poirot's Christmas, Mr Charlton is portrayed by Peter Hughes. He has the same role as in the book where he comes to read Simeon Lee's will before the members of the family.