A HUNTINGDON family solicitor has been accredited by the Law Society. Paul Mallon is the first solicitor in Huntingdon and St Ives at law firm Leeds Day to gain accredited specialist status from The Law Society to the Family Law Panel (Advanced). Leeds

A HUNTINGDON family solicitor has been accredited by the Law Society.

Paul Mallon is the first solicitor in Huntingdon and St Ives at law firm Leeds Day to gain accredited specialist status from The Law Society to the Family Law Panel (Advanced).

Leeds Day, established since the 1840s, is a highly respected law firm comprising six partners and a total of 60 lawyers and support staff. With branches in four locations in Cambridgeshire (St Neots, St Ives and two in Huntingdon) Leeds Day has a significant presence, advising both individual and corporate clients.

Paul who lives locally, joined Leeds Day in 2004. Paul has been a member of the Law Society's Family Law Panel since March 2002 and undertook an assessment in November 2005 to gain his accreditation to the Advanced Panel.

The Family Law (Advanced) Panel is designed to help people who are facing family breakdown to make an informed choice when deciding which solicitor to appoint.

To become a Family Panel (Advanced) accredited specialist, solicitors have to have been qualified for at least five years, agree to uphold the Law Society code of practice and to have passed an exam demonstrating a breadth of knowledge of family law issues and specialist knowledge in at least two areas of family law. Mr Mallon's particular specialist areas are disputes involving children and financial settlements.

The Law Society has established accreditation panels and schemes to promote high standards in legal service provision and ensure that clients are easily able to identify legal practitioners with proven competency in given areas of law to help clients make informed choices.

This is designed to ensure that panel members maintain relevant standards of competency and expertise, by means of periodic reselection, re-accreditation and re-authorisation.

Mr Mallon can highlight for his clients the range of options available to separating couples, including mediation and collaborative family law alongside expert advice and support for achieving financial settlements by agreement.

By choosing an accredited specialist, individuals can be assured that they are being advised by someone who has a wide knowledge and experience of family law, and has the qualifications to demonstrate it.

INFORMATION: Paul Mallon can be contacted at Leeds Day on 01480 454301.