ONE of Skipton's best-known firms of solicitors has just appointed two new partners.

The familiar figure of John Mewies is now joined by five partners with the arrival of Justin Birch and Sara-Jane Chorkley (both pictured above).

Before coming to J P Mewies & Co, which is based on Keighley Road, Justin obtained his law degree at Newcastle-Upon-Tyne University in 1985.

After studying in Chester to qualify as a solicitor he practiced in a commercial firm in Manchester until 1995, when he moved to Skipton and joined the Mewies' litigation department.

He will continue to deal with commercial, civil litigation and employment matters on behalf of the company's clients.

Also joining last month, Sara-Jane Chorkley qualified as a solicitor after two years in the criminal department.

She previously worked in a New York practice and will continue to work in both the criminal and civil departments of the firm.

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