A LAWYER who has worked with some of the biggest names in motorsport, including the Williams Formula One team, has joined the commercial division of a North-East law firm.

Blackett Hart & Pratt (BHP) has recruited Stephen Greenway as a partner in its business and company law team. He has previously worked as sole in-house counsel for Williams F1, headed by Sir Frank Williams. He dealt with legal and commercial affairs of the team.

He also managed legal proceedings for the team in Italy following the death of Ayrton Senna in the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix.

Mr Greenway continues to represent several Formula One, World Rally and other high-profile motor sport teams.

He has also worked in-house for Jaguar Cars and Rover Group, where he advised on matters ranging from major tooling purchase contracts to overseas distribution agreements and international joint ventures.

Mr Greenway will be based at BHP's Newcastle Quayside offices and will help to strengthen and develop the business and company law team.

He will also use his experience to support the new BHP Sport division and extend the firm's services to his existing clients.

"Sport is an industry like any other. Once you take away the specifics that apply to a particular sport, the legal issues are the same," said Mr Greenway.

"Formula One teams, for instance, have the same problems with suppliers, employment issues, planning disputes and intellectual property to protect as other businesses.

"The in-house experience I have means I can offer pragmatic advice and insight into a wide range of issues facing businesses of all types across the range of sectors."

The firm has also appointed lawyer Andrew Nixon to join its Newcastle Quayside office.

The 30-year-old has worked for Crutes and Ward Hadaway and , during the past three years, specialised in commercial property.

The former Northumbria University graduate, from Sunderland, said: "BHP is a firm that's going places and it's a very good time to join.

"Not only is the firm expanding but the entire property market in the North-East. at the moment is very strong."