Tag Archives: divorce

Appointments, Law, News

Promotion for head of family and divorce team at Bromleys Solicitors

The head of law firm Bromleys’ family and divorce team has been promoted to principal solicitor.

Keith Bull joined the Tameside practice in 2018 and has overseen a doubling in size and turnover for the team.

He specialises in cases involving the breakdown of marriages and relationships of high net worth clients, especially those with their own businesses, investments and sizeable pensions.

Keith is recognised in his field as a leading expert – he is an advanced member of the Law Society’s advanced family law panel and an accredited specialist on the family law panel of Resolution.

Resolution is a membership organisation for lawyers and other professionals committed to constructive, non-confrontational ways to resolve divorce, separation and other family-related legal issues.

Keith has specialist accreditations from Resolution for financial remedies, private children law, domestic violence, and cohabitation and property disputes brought under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act. He is also an assessor for the organisation in the application process for accreditation.

His team at Bromleys also deals with cases involving the children of a broken relationship, particularly domestic violence injunctions and ensuing or related matters.

Mark Hirst, senior partner at Bromleys, said: “Keith’s promotion is recognition for his exemplary work and achievements since joining the firm in 2018. The team under his leadership has gone from strength to strength and this is testament to his strategic planning.”

Keith said: “To be recognised and offered this promotion by the partners at Bromleys is a tremendous honour.

“I have over 30 years of family law experience, and 2022 has been a real milestone for both myself and the team. We smashed the record for turnover for our team and, towards the end of the financial year, I was able to boost our staffing levels as we look very well set for further growth this year.

“Working in family law comes with its challenges. Going through a divorce or a separation is an emotionally-charged time for anyone, but having the right team by your side can help alleviate some of the stresses relating to property, children and financial issues.

“My entire team is dedicated to the cause and always strives to achieve the very best outcome for all our clients.”

News

Law firm sees surge in drug driving and criminal cases during pandemic

A LAW firm experienced a surge in the number of drug driving and criminal cases during the pandemic.

David Jones, senior partner at Edward Hughes Solicitors, admitted he and criminal law colleagues at the Colwyn Bay and Rhyl-based practice have never seen anything like it in their combined 60 years’ working in the legal sector.

He believes drug driving is now “on a par and possibly more of a problem” than drink driving, a statement reinforced by recent figures from the Ministry of Justice, which revealed North Wales Police had the highest number of drug driving violations per capita across Wales and England in 2020.

In the same year, the Force recorded 1,307 drug driving arrests, and a reported one in 20 fatalities on UK roads can now be attributed to the offence.

“We have seen a massive rise in the number of drug driving cases in the past few years,” said David.

“It is now on a par and possibly more of a problem than drink driving in terms of the cases we have been involved in since the onset of the pandemic, which is unbelievable when you consider how rare it was just five or six years ago.

“In terms of set guidelines, it is still a relatively ‘new’ crime and from the statistics it continues to rise which is a concern.

“We have also attended more criminal cases which is very sad to see, but perhaps a reflection on the pressures and stresses on people now given financial constraints and other challenges.”

David explained many people are still unaware they are entitled to free legal advice at the police station before being questioned, if arrested for any offence, or that they can be advised in advance of an interview.

“That right extends across England and Wales and can be over the phone or in person,” he added.

“In some situations, such as speeding or other motoring offences, there can be mitigating circumstances or special reasons, such as exceptional hardship, so it is worth getting in touch to ensure you have support in place.

“We offer a fixed fee (subject to agreement) when an individual has to appear before a court, and most importantly our expert lawyers will guide you through the process as it can be very stressful, to secure the best possible outcome.”

For more information and to contact Edward Hughes Solicitors, call 01745 343661 or visit the website: www.qualitysolicitors.com/edwardhughes.

You can follow them on Twitter at @QSEH_Solicitors and via Facebook and LinkedIn.

Appointments, Law, News, North of England

Bromleys Solicitors strengthens its ranks with four recruits

Law firm Bromleys has welcomed four paralegals to its ranks as part of its ongoing expansion amid a period of rapid growth.

Claire Billington and Sophia Khan-Iqbal specialise in domestic violence, divorce and children matters as part of Tameside-based Bromleys’ family and divorce team, which is headed by Keith Bull.

Claire has nearly 10 years’ experience in the field of family law. Sophia, who graduated in 2019 with a law degree from the University of Leeds, previously worked at a Manchester city centre firm where she specialised in cases of historic child abuse.

Olu Balogun and Sadaf Idrees have joined Bromleys’ Court of Protection and Powers of Attorney team, which is led by Francesca Rigby.

The pair are working with clients and their families to support them in managing the financial affairs of those who lack capacity due to illness or injury.

Sadaf has more than five years’ experience in Court of Protection work and is undertaking the Solicitors Qualifying Examination this year.

Olu graduated in law at Durham University in 2019 and completed her legal practice course at BPP University in Manchester, achieving a merit. She has been awarded a training contract at Bromleys.

Bromleys’ senior partner Mark Hirst said: “The arrival of the four paralegals shows the upward trajectory of the firm.

“Our family and divorce team under Keith’s leadership is going from strength to strength and the addition of Claire and Sophia mirrors this growth.

“Similarly our Court of Protection and Powers of Attorney team has made positive progress and the appointments of Olu and Sadaf will give us a platform for further expansion.

“We are excited that Olu has accepted a training contract with us, reflecting her hard work and dedication.

“She and Sadaf are great assets to the team and we look forward to them and Claire and Sophia developing their careers with the firm.”

Bromleys is continuing to recruit further in line with its growth across several other areas of the firm, including commercial, litigation, care and wills, as well as Court of Protection.

Mark added: “It is truly an exciting time for the practice and to be a part of the Bromleys’ team.”

News

Leading solicitor celebrates 30 years with North Wales law firm

ONE of the most prominent solicitors in North Wales is celebrating 30 years with a long-standing law firm.

David Jones has spent three decades with Rhyl and Colwyn Bay-based Edward Hughes Solicitors, which also marked a major anniversary recently – its 70th year in business.

David, from Denbigh, has seen many changes – including major technological advances since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic – and has represented thousands of people across the region in employment, personal injury, criminal and civil cases.

As he prepares to welcome daughter Ela to the practice as a paralegal, joining brother Ben, now a fully qualified solicitor, the 52 year-old reflected on his own time with the organisation.

“I wanted to be a lawyer from a very early age, it was the opportunity to help people and make a difference that really appealed to me,” said David.

“I did some work experience in Denbigh and just loved it, the people side of the job and the characters you would meet.

“I never would have imagined all these years later how different the role would be, it’s altered beyond recognition, but I am as determined and passionate as ever about the law.”

A former pupil at Ysgol Glan Clwyd in St Asaph, David went on to study at Liverpool University and Chester Law School before joining Edward Hughes Solicitors as a trainee in the early nineties.

“I knew I wasn’t interested in the corporate side of the law, despite it being more lucrative; I wanted to work in litigation and civil and personal injury claims, so I could try and make a difference to people’s lives,” he said.

“I did that, and business steadily grew until before I knew it, by the turn of the century I was asked to become a partner.

“It remains a huge honour and as an organisation we have always tried to do things the right way. Sadly, many legal practices in this area are not around anymore but we’ve managed to stay the course and remain at the forefront.”

He added: “Along the way there have been huge changes, from word processors and typewriters to the present day, when many solicitors are cocooned in their offices, and a lot of cases are held online.

“That has been a necessity because of the pandemic but it is one thing I miss, the interaction with colleagues and clients, the personal touch is vital for me because it is a big responsibility to represent someone – in defence or prosecution – because often a big part of their future is in your hands.

“Technology has brought things on a lot, but that’s not entirely a good thing. There have been a lot of cutbacks that have had a negative effect, especially on more vulnerable people, which is sad to see, and you get to spend less time with clients, but that’s where we are now and has to be accepted – the world has moved on.”

David now looks forward to another 10 years in the legal arena but admits it may then be time for a change.

“I’m looking forward to seeing where life takes me. Who knows what’s next? I have a lot of ideas, there are many things I would like to do and a lot I want to give back, so watch this space,” he said.

“I’ve been fortunate to work on some huge trials, represent hundreds and hundreds of people and work alongside many great staff here at Edward Hughes, it has been an honour.

“This can be an intense and intimidating job, but you have to get on with it. That’s ultimately why we are there and after 30 years my ethos is still the same, to try and help those who need it most.”

For more information and to contact Edward Hughes Solicitors, call 01745 343661 or visit www.qualitysolicitors.com/edwardhughes. You can follow them on social media at @QSEH_Solicitors.