INCREASING cases of personal debt and insolvency have led to a leading East Lancashire law firm introducing a dedicated personal insolvency department.
Farleys Solicitors launched the new department at its Burnley office following enquiries at its free Saturday morning legal surgeries about how to get out of debt.
Partner, Jonathan Bridge, is heading the department and has appointed personal insolvency expert Mark Skinner to assist him.
Mark, from Whitefield, worked for Trafford Borough Council as a debt adviser before taking up a legal training contract with Woodcock and Sons in Bury. He then moved to Richardson Mail Solicitors in Manchester.
Head of personal insolvency, Jonathan Bridge hopes Mark’s appointment will raise the profile of the insolvency department. He said:
“Unfortunately increasing numbers of people are getting themselves into high levels of debt and need help to recover from it.
“Mark brings with him several years experience in the debt advisory industry and we are confident that he will be able to use his experience to help people across East Lancashire who are struggling with debt.”
The latest personal insolvency figures show that a record 26,000 people became insolvent in England and Wales between April and May this year – an increase of 66 per cent on the same period last year. It is predicted that personal insolvencies will exceed 100,000 this year.
For a free consultation with a Personal Insolvency or Bankruptcy Solicitor, please call Farleys Solicitors now on 0845 287 0939 or contact us by e-mail.