Following university Phil was employed by Dawn Advice as a legal advisor. Dawn is a charitable organisation based near Cramlington that provided detailed advice by phone to clients who were referred by the CAB. Advice on debt, housing, contract disputes and welfare benefits were given under Legal Aid contracts and in line with the requirements of the legal help and help at court scheme.
In 2007 Phil began his training contract at a law firm in Middlesbrough. There he carried out the bulk of his training in civil litigation and was drawn to litigation work early in his career. Upon qualification he was given control of the Legal Aid contracts and was promoted to associate within the firm.
Phil joined BHP Law in 2015 where he initially developed an active caseload in high value personal injury and clinical negligence work. In 2018 he was promoted to team leader of the dispute resolution department.
Notable cases include large dilapidations claims that have been significantly reduced and a recent settlement in a significant building claim against a builder (where proceedings had been issued with a claim totalling over £50k). Day-to-day work includes disputes between builders and contractors acting for both claimants and defendants, boundary disputes, general contract disputes, boundary issues, contentious probate and high value debt recovery claims.
Qualifications: LLB (Hons) Exempting – University of Northumbria
Year admitted as a solicitor: 2009
Charitable/pro bono work: In his spare time Phil helps to run a clay shoot at Marne Barracks which has raised about £80,000 for charity over the past 10 years, in particular raising money for SSAFA (who assist injured serviceman) as well as various local hospices and cancer organisations. As well as holding regular days that are open to the public, Phil coaches newcomers to the sport as well as organising days when injured soldiers come down to shoot as part of their rehabilitation and seeking to avoid and treat PTSD. Phil has also taken part in a number of charity treks, including climbing a volcano in Iceland and walking a section of the Sahara desert both for Butterwick Hospice and in 2017 he climbed through the rainforest in Borneo for the Willowburn Hospice. He has also been involved in a number of other fund-raising initiatives for Butterwick and Willowburn Hospices and the British Heart Foundation. Phil is also involved in BHP Law’s 5-a-side football team which raises money for the Teenage Cancer Trust.
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