EXPANSION CONTINUES AT BIRD & Co. SOLICITORS LLP

CRIMINAL DEFENCE STAFF DOUBLED

East Midlands law firm, Bird & Co. Solicitors LLP, is expanding its Criminal Law Department, making it one of the largest dedicated criminal litigation teams in the region. At the Firm’s Newark Office the expansion involves the addition of two experienced solicitors and an accredited police station representative, whilst at the Grantham Office, two further experienced solicitors will be joining the existing specialist crime team. The pending expansion is due to take effect on Monday, 2nd June.

At the Firm’s Newark Office on Kirk Gate, new arrivals Vicky Clarson, formerly a criminal solicitor with the Nottingham firm Young & Pearce Solicitors, and Simon Cobb, former partner at the Grantham based firm Pye-Smith, Arthur, & Cobb Solicitors, will be working alongside Bill Miller. The three solicitors, supported by Trish Ambrose, an accredited police station representative, will provide advice and assistance both at the Police Station and in the Criminal Courts.

At the Firm’s Grantham Office on Castlegate, Head of the Criminal Law Department, Stuart Wild, and Senior Partner Christopher Milligan, supported by Rachael Newcombe, Des Saint and Lindsey Whotton, will be joined by Chris Pye-Smith and Rob Arthur. The two new arrivals have a wealth of experience in the field of criminal law, both being former partners at the Grantham based firm Pye-Smith, Arthur, & Cobb Solicitors.

With lawyers able to provide sound, experienced advice on all aspects of criminal law, including motoring matters, the Firm plans to continue to promote its dedicated “Road Traffic” website at A1 Road Traffic Lawyers. Bird & Co. Solicitors LLP has for some years provided advice and representation for motorists who fall foul of the Road Traffic Act.

Christopher Milligan, Senior Partner at Bird & Co. Solicitors LLP, has welcomed the Firm’s expansion in the current climate of unprecedented change regarding the way in which the Criminal Justice System is now administered. The expansion will see Christopher, who has advocacy rights in the higher courts, concentrating more on Crown Court work, and advising and representing those clients charged with the more serious criminal offences. Christopher is no stranger to the higher courts having recently appeared at the Court Of Appeal in London to successfully represent a client on an appeal against sentence from the Lincoln Crown Court.

Christopher commented: “With the introduction of a new regime within the Criminal Justice System, which dictates the way in which cases are listed and administered by the Court Service, coupled with changes in the way cases are funded by the Legal Services Commission, then this expansion will help. It will provide an appropriate structure that enables the Firm to respond with confidence to the new challenges of criminal defence work. We have the expertise and staffing levels at Bird & Co. to take a case from the Police Station all the way through to the higher court, without invoking the services of outside agencies - something which can only be good for client care and confidence”.

From June onwards, the Criminal Law team will be available 24 hours a day to provide advice and assistance, in person or on the telephone, to all detainees held at the Police Station. The team can be contacted on FREEPHONE 0800 389 4832, or alternatively via the Firm’s website at www.birdandco.co.uk. The website also contains details of other areas of the law where the Firm is able to offer advice and assistance - areas such as: Commercial Law, Conveyancing and Property Transactions, Civil Disputes, Accident Claims, Divorce, Cohabitation and Children Law, Trusts, Wills and Probate Matters.