Helping rural businesses in the North East think more commercially is the aim of new legal practice.

Smithson Law Firm senior partner Michael Smithson, right, tells clients Catherine Armstrong and Robert Jackson of Detchant Farm the law of the land.

Offering all aspects of commercial law services to farmers and other rural small and medium enterprises, senior partner Michael Smithson says Smithson Law Firm specialises in helping businesses identify and deliver new opportunities and to be alert to the latest developments in the sector such as environmental issues and the growing numbers of immigrant workers coming to the north east.

A well-known figure in the district, Mr Smithson has over 30 years’ legal experience and is the driving force behind Smithson Law Firm, a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) based in Newcastle, but which services client’s needs outside the city.

Mr Smithson, said: “Businesses in the rural sector fully appreciate that they are a commercial operation and must continue to look at their enterprise in pure commercial terms. This includes searching out opportunities to diversify.”

The firm’s niche rural business services include straight talking legal advice and solutions on joint ventures and collaboration, business partnerships, tenancies and employment issues.

Environmental and immigrant workers rights are just two examples of areas which feature in enquiries from clients.

Mr Smithson has again been invited to lecture on environmental protection matters at Newcastle University’s School of Agriculture where he is a regular speaker on agri-legal matters.

He said: “Rural and other SMEs are the backbone of the country’s economy. At Smithson Law Firm we fully appreciate the adverse conditions and constraints placed on many farmers and other rural SMEs.

“Our aim is to support these enterprises by providing clear, accurate advice and solutions with, wherever possible, fixed fees giving a completely transparent legal service to our clients who are at the heart of the practice.

The firm, which handles farming, building and estate management and SME accounts throughout the North prides itself on the quality of its service and high standards of personal care which it delivers to clients.

Mr Smithson said: “Our clients are assured of close partner contact at Smithson Law Firm, which may be more difficult to achieve within larger operations. Our approach is hands on and our partners are involved at a nuts and bolts level in cases and are always accessible to clients.”

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