Arthur L Blackhurst (Senior Partner) – Solicitor Advocate, Higher Rights (Criminal)

Arthur having been admitted to the roll of solicitors more than 30 years ago has vast experience and really is the driving force behind this exciting venture. Arthur’s experience covers the entire criminal spectrum having successfully dealt with cases both in the Magistrates, Crown and Appeal Courts. His experience also covers:
Personal Injury, Rent Assessment Tribunals (ex part time Chairman 20 years),Industrial Tribunals (ex part time Chairman 5 years) cases.

Latterly he has undertaken private fee paying Criminal Appeals work and has had success in persuading the CCRC to reopen cases that were considered ‘no hopers’ and has a number of cases awaiting determination in the Criminal Appeal Court in London. The preparation for these high profile cases has involved the thorough examination of trial papers and evidential material and undertaking new and previously unexplored enquiries and investigations. Arthur currently has a ‘slot’ on both the Liverpool Duty Magistrates Court and Police Station Rotas.

Mike has 21 years of experience of investigating and analysing evidential material and is trained in all aspects of surveillance and interview techniques. He has successfully investigated every possible type of criminal matter. For the past seven years he has completed his training to become a solicitor and has worked for ‘franchised’ criminal firms and for civil litigation firms.

He has utilised his analytical skills and developed them further and is now very proficient in analysing all aspects of police evidence and has had a number of impressive successes in a variety of criminal matters in both the Crown and Magistrates Courts receiving praise from the barristers and advocates he has assisted. He has also worked on a number of ‘high cost’, complicated contracted cases. His statement taking skills are of the highest standards ensuring that all evidential issues are covered whether for criminal/civil matters or actions against the police.

Although Jane is the newest member to our team, she brings with her twenty four years experience as a Legal Clerk and Legal Secretary as well as fifteen years specialist experience in Wills and Probates. As a result of this experience, her ability to help people through the trauma and anguish of what for most people is the most difficult time of their lives cannot be under stated. Heading up our new Probate Department, Jane is able to:
 
• Administer Estates, from initial instructions to distribution, as well as the preparation of Estate Accounts.
• Administer Trusts, either on a day to day basis or (where appropriate) deal with the preparation and execution of Deeds of Retirement and Appointment of New Trustees.
• Take instruction for Wills and dealing with the preparation and execution of the same by the Clients.

Jane became a fellow of the Institute of Paralegals in January 2007.