The skill required to win a court case is an inspiration to Paul Norton who has joined Williamsons Solicitors’ criminal law team as a senior solicitor.
“Trials intrigue me – there’s an art to trial work and I love the challenge of it,” said Mr Norton. “I am very keen on doing higher courts advocacy work and hope to be spending a lot more time in the Crown Court.”
Although now a solicitor, Mr Norton originally trained as a barrister and was called to the Bar in 1989. His professional career included being clerk at magistrates’ courts in Hampshire and Inner London, with eight years as deputy chief clerk for Clerkenwell Magistrates’ Court in King’s Cross.
In 2001 he gained an LLM, law masters degree, (merit) from Leeds Metropolitan University, and qualified as a solicitor. After working in Bradford and Leeds he moved to East Yorkshire in 2004.
“I came to Hull for a two-week locum and have been in the city ever since,” added Mr Norton, who has practised at a number of Hull firms, and as a freelance advocate.
The 52-year-old jazz enthusiast was keen on joining Williamsons Solicitors because of its top quality professionalism.
“The firm has a very strong commitment to the highest professional standards and publicly funded work,” he added.
Bill Waddington, director, said: “I have known Paul for some years and always been impressed with how meticulous, well-researched and thoroughly prepared he is in court, and there is an artistry to how he goes about achieving a successful result for his client.”
One recent case involved a Courts Martial in Catterick, where he acted in defence of a solider accused of grievous bodily harm.
Mr Norton is now part of the largest crime department in Hull and East Yorkshire with a team of 20, including six solicitors, four police station representatives, one paralegal and nine support staff.
The department regularly receives instructions relating to major criminal cases and also road traffic and regulatory defence work and has again featured prominently this year in two major legal guides, Chambers and Legal 500.
For more information on the firm and its services,please see: www.williamsons-solicitors.co.uk
