ONE of the region’s best-known family lawyers has set up her own boutique divorce and family law firm.

Joanne Major, formerly head of family law at law firm Watson Burton in Newcastle, has established Major Family Law to specialise in all aspects of family law, including divorce, separation and children’s proceedings.

Mrs Major is a well-known and well-regarded name in the North-East legal sector, with 13 years’ legal experience, and she has also received a personal ranking in the latest edition of Chambers and Partners as an expert in her field, while the Legal 500 has singled her out as a rapidly rising star.

Mrs Major, whose firm has opened in Ponteland, Northumberland, which already employs another member of staff, said: “Being a small law firm provides a major advantage.

“We can offer the skills and polish of a city centre law firm, but with more competitive hourly rates, a personal touch and more informal surroundings.”

Family law has become increasingly complex in recent times, said Mrs Major, with issues such as co-habitation, human rights and civil partnerships, but even in its early stages of business, Major Family Law has already received numerous instructions to work on cases.

She has also been appointed by several law firms from central Newcastle to handle their family work.

Mrs Major said that being a mother of two herself enables her to have a more sympathetic understanding of the issues of parenting and children.

“In any children’s proceedings you know that you will be receiving representation from someone who is acting primarily from their own experience as a parent, and not just as a lawyer,” she said.