RISING demand has allowed a North-East law firm to expand its property team.

Ward Hadaway, which has offices in Newcastle, says clients are increasingly using their services as they take on more work.

Experienced associate solicitors Stephen Carrick and John Booth have joined the company, which has more than 70 lawyers across the North.

Bosses say Mr Carrick has wide experience of property development, acting for housebuilders, landowners and public sector organisations, with Mr Booth providing commercial property advice on private and public sector development work.

Their arrival bolsters a team already strengthened by the arrival of associate Julia Kenny and solicitor Tessa Petrides, as well as newly-qualified solicitors Hannah Taylor and Matthew Miller, earlier this year.

Lesley Fairclough, Ward Hadaway partner and head of development, said: “We have seen demand for our services grow greatly in the last 12 months as clients look to ramp up their property acquisition and development activities.

“The recruitment of Stephen and John will enable us to help meet this growing call for the high quality legal advice companies and organisations in the property sector value.”

Neil Robson, Ward Hadaway partner and head of property, added: “After being hit hard by the recession, the property industry is really bouncing back.

“The fact we can advise companies at every stage from planning and site acquisition through construction to completion means we are ideally placed to provide focused legal advice throughout the development process.”