A ROUND-the-clock service for domestic violence victims is part of an expansion for a North-East law firm.

Gordon Brown Associates has added a family law team that will offer an extended out-of-hours service for family clients and a 24-hour emergency number for domestic violence cases.

The team, headed by Helen Holmes and Ian Lawson, will handle work such as divorce and separation, arrangements for children, prenuptial and cohabitation agreements and domestic violence.

Ms Holmes said: “I’m really passionate about making our services as accessible as possible for clients.

“People’s family lives don’t just fit into a nine-to-five structure and we have to be able to respond to this.”

The Durham University graduate specialises in private law work and domestic violence cases, working closely with several community and voluntary organisations.

Mr Lawson focuses on divorce and ancillary relief, resolution and collaborative law.

Senior partner Gordon Brown said: “We have two extremely skilled practitioners in Helen and Ian and look forward to them building a very successful team.”