MARK Day, partner at Langleys Solicitors, York, has been appointed as the regional liaison officer (chairman) of the York Collaborative Family Law Group.

The organisation, which aims to help couples work together to manage their divorce and separation process in a dignified and amicable way, consists of 18 solicitors from across the region who work with clients to reach a settlement, without any involvement from the court.

The collaborative approach to divorce is becoming an increasingly popular option and enables separating couples to have control over the whole process. Many family disputes can be resolved successfully this way, minimising the impact on children, which is often the principal priority in each case. Clients work through shared goals with their individual solicitors and collaborative lawyer face to face, removing the conflict that is often associated with the more traditional method of communicating through correspondence and legal representatives only.

Mr Day said: “I am very passionate about my role as chairman of the York Collaborative ‘pod’, as I can see first-hand that our work can really make a difference to the outcome of a separation. The approach offers a progressive way for couples to work through their differences in a calm environment, making the key decisions for the future together.”

Collaborative lawyers undergo specific training and must be members of the national family law group, Resolution, whose aim is to avoid divorce or separation becoming a “contest” with “winners and losers”. For more information on finding a collaborative lawyer in York and the surrounding areas, visit www.yorkvfl.com


YORKSHIRE law firm Dickinson Dees has announced five key promotions across its pensions, property, corporate recovery and public services departments.

Jackie Gray, who is based at the firm’s York office in Bishopthorpe Road, has been promoted to director in the public services department.

The department has more than 45 local authority clients and acts for 20 NHS trust and PCT clients across the length and breadth of the UK, completing deals worth more than £2.5 billion in the last year.

Jackie, an expert in data protection, who joined Dickinson Dees in 2007 from Walker Morris, will continue to build on the team’s business in the Yorkshire and Humber region, particularly within local government, including Building Schools for the Future, IT and public sector outsourcing.

Other promotions are Neil Walker (public services), Tracy Walsh (pensions), David Hambler (property) and Andrew Robertson (corporate recovery).

John Marshall, the firm’s newly elected senior partner, said: “This year’s promotions reflect the excellent contribution of our staff to the continued development of the firm and our commitment to the long term growth of Dickinson Dees through retaining and investing in high-calibre solicitors.”


LAW firm Rollits, which has offices in York and Hull, has announced three top new appointments.

Following the firm’s move to become a Limited Liability Partnership last month, Caroline Hardcastle, Donna Ingleby and Tom Morrison have been appointed partners at the firm.

Donna, who joined Rollits two years ago, becomes a partner in the firm’s Employment Group as a specialist in contentious and non-contentious employment issues, including tribunal preparation and advocacy.

She will continue to work alongside Neil Maidment in the group, which has one of the largest specialist employment teams in the region.

Tom Morrison, who joined the firm as a trainee solicitor in 1999, becomes a partner in Rollits' Commercial Group. He specialises in advising on contractual matters, intellectual property, data protection, freedom of information, information technology and e-commerce.

And Caroline Hardcastle, who trained with Kennedys Solicitors in London, becomes a partner within Rollits’ Dispute Resolution department, dealing with a range of commercial disputes.

Caroline, who has worked at Rollits for 11 years, specialises in construction and engineering disputes where she has acted on behalf of employers, developers and contractors in adjudications and court proceedings.

Managing partner Richard Field said: “We encourage continual professional development throughout Rollits, so it is very pleasing to see three talented individuals progressing through the firm and taking their position as partners.


Evans Easyspace, the provider of new and managed workspaces, which has offices in Clifton Moor and at the York Business Park, has announced the appointment of Tim Frith as business development manager.

It is part of new plans to raise awareness of the company’s expertise in handling management contracts on behalf of third parties.

With 15 years’ experience in the commercial property market, Mr Frith will be seeking out opportunities to work with both the public and private sector on a management contract basis.

These plans are announced on the back of a record number of new business inquiries for Evans Easyspace in March 2010 and an increase in net take-up in existing centres, proving the market demand for the company’s products and services.

Until now Evans Easyspace has developed and owned all of the properties in its network. By offering to manage space for others, the company is now seeking to accelerate the growth of the brand, while further enhancing its reputation in the marketplace.

Mr Frith said: “This is a very exciting opportunity for property owners, and in some cases occupiers, to benefit from the expertise and market profile Evans Easyspace can offer. We will take on the day-to-day operational management of a centre and through our solid, efficient and proven business model, will help minimise costs and maximise occupancy, income and value.”


PATRICIA White has joined the civil litigation team at the Scarborough office of Pinkney Grunwells Lawyers.

Patricia, formerly of Ware & Kay LLP, York, brings to the firm a strong commercial background combined with legal expertise in civil litigation, employment and personal injury.

She joins Katie Morris, a civil litigation solicitor, and Rob Jerome, a debt recovery expert. Patricia will also be maintaining her links in York and within the networking forums covering Leeds, York and North Yorkshire.

A company director, she founded the York & North Yorkshire ILEX branch of which she is the elected chairman. She is married with a son and two grandchildren.


CHRIS France has joined the North York Moors National Park Authority as director of planning. He succeeds Val Dilcock, who is retiring after 36 years with the authority’s planning team.

Mr France joins the North York Moors National Park Authority from Dartmoor National Park Authority, where he was director of planning.

Before that, he worked in planning at Exmoor National Park Authority, including nine years as head of planning.

He has a degree in geography and landscape studies from the University of Southampton and a planning degree from Bristol Polytechnic.

Chris, who has also worked in planning for Weymouth and Portland Borough Council in Dorset, said: “I was born in Guisborough and am excited about exploring old haunts as well as discovering new places.

“I am keen to strengthen the relationship between the national park authority and its communities and will be attending the various parish forums to find out more about local priorities. Affordable housing provision is an issue I see as being increasingly important and I’m keen to hear people’s views on what they feel is needed.”