Local law firm gives back to the community

The local law firm, Watson Woodhouse solicitors are celebrating their move to new premises at 111 High Street, Stockton-on-Tees by hosting an event to showcase their new community-focused services.

The launch event on 5th March at 3:30 pm will highlight the free opportunities that the companies move to Stockton High Street will bring for the public. The event is being formally opened by the Leader of Stockton Council Cllr Bob Cook and is being attended by representatives from a wide range of community groups including the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Stockton Recovery Service, SWAN, My Sisters Place, Stockton Baptist Church, Arch, local Food Bank organisers and The Moses Project. The event will also be attended by members of Stockton Council and local business representatives Stockton BID.

The services provided by Watson Woodhouse will include regularly available legal advice from experienced solicitors at no cost, as well as the opportunity for community and support groups to utilise meeting space available at their Stockton-on-Tees law clinic.

The free drop-in sessions will run weekly, on Mondays 5 pm – 9 pm and Wednesdays 1:30 pm – 5:30 pm. The informal setting for the sessions hopes to bring those who feel less confident when asking for legal help into a comfortable and supportive setting.

James Watson, Watson Woodhouse’s Managing Partner, said: “Supporting the community is incredibly important to everyone at Watson Woodhouse solicitors and we are proud to be launching the free services to the people of Stockton-on-Tees”.

“Legal advice often seems inaccessible to many people, which is something we want to change by offering the opportunity for people to pop in and speak to a member of our dedicated and experienced team.”

Watson Woodhouse’s new offices are located on the historic High Street at the heart of Stockton-on-Tees, an ideal location for the community to access. Space has been dedicated by the firm to provide a meeting place for local community and support groups to use for free.

Victoria Molloy, Solicitor, said: “I joined Watson Woodhouse because of the way they support the community, particularly the most vulnerable in society.

“So when I was tasked with opening the new Stockton office, I ensured that it would do all it could to serve the community”.

Alongside the free community law clinic, there will be no charge for the use of the space, in the hope that this gesture will help community groups to maintain their presence in the community.

The community is paramount to Watson Woodhouse’s vision of legal service, and the opening of the new office on the High Street is the latest initiative in the firm’s support for the people it serves.