LAW firm Newtons Solicitors was set up from a standing start in the middle of the recession in 2009.

Today it has 40 staff in five offices and founder Chris Newton is keen to open further offices when the right opportunities arise, with York on the wish list.

Anthony Tarpey, practice development director said the firm and its employees believe a full range of legal services can be provided in a very accessible, affordable and friendly way.

The firm, which has offices in Harrogate, Knaresborough, Ripon, Richmond and Darlington, has an open and inclusive management culture where information and decision making is shared, enabling it to react quickly when necessary.

Mr Tarpey said new entrants competing with the traditional firms in the marketplace can benefit from efficiency high volume processing, but he said: “It might keep some headline costs down to have centralisation and de-personalisation but here at Newtons we’re not so convinced. We think people like to deal with people and get a very personal service at all times. Someone who will stick with you throughout. There is little doubt that local legal services firms that do survive and grow in the future will have to make themselves stand out from the crowd.”