David Gray Solicitors LLP

The firm: David Gray Solicitors LLP was established 40 years ago and has offices in Newcastle upon Tyne and South Shields. Over the past four decades it has cemented its long-standing reputation for quality and established itself as a leader within the legal services market. As well as having a significant presence in the local legal market, it is highly regarded nationally for its expertise in a number of key practice areas. Its team of around 90 foster a genuinely collaborative approach to advising clients, drawing on the broad legal expertise that is available across the firm. This means that clients requiring complex multi-discipline legal advice have access to a streamlined and highly knowledgeable team of advisers. The firm prides itself on its open and innovative approach in providing clear and straightforward advice, taking the time to understand a client needs and work with them to find the right, cost-effective solution.

With eight partners and over 80 staff across Newcastle upon Tyne and South Shields, David Gray Solicitors LLP is able to offer a degree of specialist expertise not available in smaller firms.

Types of work undertaken: David Gray Solicitors LLP advises on:

Family Law: a key department within the firm, and one which includes several lawyers with a national reputation for their expertise. The team of over 25 provides specialist advice across the whole range of family and childcare law including divorce and unmarried relationship breakdown, financial remedy, disputes concerning childcare arrangements, removals from the jurisdiction, child abduction, care proceedings, adoptions and domestic abuse. Resolving family disputes can be conducted in a range of ways, including collaborative law and mediation. In addition, and almost uniquely, the firm offers couples meetings regarding process options which aids co-operation and early resolution.

Mental health and Court of Protection: the mental health department has more than 30 years experience in the area and a national reputation for its expertise. The dedicated team undertakes Court of Protection work under the Mental Capacity Act 2005, protecting the interests of vulnerable people. This growing practice area and a shift in recent years towards a focus on mental health issues mean this team is busy representing individuals and family members at mental health review tribunals, managers hearings, section renewals and case reviews.

Immigration: the firm has been nationally recognised as a leading law firm in the north for immigration law for over 35 years. The team provides specialist immigration advice and assistance to business and personal clients. The team advises on all stages of the process, including assistance with applications and challenging refusals and penalties, representation at appeals and with judicial review.

Wills and probate/elderly client: the team provides specialist advice, drawing up clear and straightforward wills for clients while also advising on more complex matters including tax planning, gifts, legacies and trusts. The dedicated team is able to provide a full service for the administration of estates and probate. The team has an attorney and deputy in the Office of the Public Guardian.

Crime: the department is a large general criminal practice with many years of experience and a particular specialism in large-scale fraud and white-collar crime. The team also conducts inquests, in particular controversial deaths at the hands of the state. The firm continues to attract significant instructions in serious and complex crime matters and is frequently involved in many of the most high-profile cases in the region. Like the family team at the firm, the criminal department flourishes because of its unique multi-disciplinary approach to advising clients. The department won The Legal 500  Regional Team of the Year 2017.  The department has a growing reputation for assisting clients convicted of driving offences such as Exceptional Hardship, Speeding and Drink Driving.

Property and housing: the burgeoning property team advises a broad and varying client base, from private individuals making a house sale or purchase, to landlords with large property portfolios. Its focus is on delivering an efficient and high-quality service that is competitively priced. This is evidenced by its growing and loyal client base which generates referrals and repeat work.

Other offices: South Shields