ONE of the North-East’s best-known legal firms has continued to grow by expanding its team in one of the most complex and sensitive areas of the law.

BHP Law has almost doubled the size of its Family Law team, with the recruitment of experienced specialists Alexandra Clancy and Cheryl Whyte as senior associates to further strengthen the public law children offering at the firm, along with Maariyah Zaman and Nicole Shaw as trainee solicitors.

It is the latest stage of the company’s ambitious expansion programme as it builds on a proud history dating back to the 1800s.

Managing Partner John Pratt said: “We have made it clear that our aim is to grow the company, and this is an important part of that expansion plan – investing in expert knowledge and experience in a very specialist area of the law.”

Alexandra, Cheryl, Maariyah and Nicole – all graduates of Teesside University – have joined BHP Law from a High Street law firm on Teesside.

Alexandra and Cheryl, who were both raised in Middlesbrough, have Children Panel Accreditation, which means they are classed as specialist lawyers, qualified to represent parents, wider family members and children in public and private cases. They each bring ten years of specialist experience, predominantly in care proceedings.

Their cases can involve sexual abuse, non-accidental injury, neglect, drug and alcohol abuse, and fabricated or induced illness. They can also represent young people who have had their liberty restricted.

Alexandra said: “It’s really exciting to be part of one of the region’s oldest and most respected law firms, with multiple offices, and a depth of support. There is so much potential to help the business grow in a complex and sensitive area of the law.”

Cheryl added: “Joining a larger business like BHP Law is a real step up for us from a High Street practice, and it means we will be able to help more people – on our home patch – through difficult periods of their lives.”

Maariyah, who also grew up in Middlesbrough, and Nicole, who was raised in Stockton, are also thrilled to be progressing their careers with a larger company, offering greater opportunities.

Last month, BHP Law added five new members to its Court of Protection (Health and Welfare) team to support the legal needs of vulnerable people amid a “social care crisis” facing the country.

The company has 12 specialist teams across the full range of legal services, with offices in Darlington, Stockton, Durham, Newcastle and Tynemouth.