THE newest business to the BNW centre building is Phillip E Crook, Lawyers, which will start business on Friday this week.

Southern Downs residents will recognise the name and face of Phil Crook as a barrister, but Mr Crook has made the personal decision to return to the role of a solicitor.

Mr Crook has been a barrister in Warwick since 2003, but decided to return to the role of a solicitor due to certain restrictions in place for barristers as specified by the Queensland Bar Association rules.

“As a barrister I was unable to do a number of areas of work,” he said. “As a solicitor I will be able to follow a case from start to finish.”

“A barrister’s role tends to be at the end of a case, as an advocate before the court, specialising in only a couple of branches of law.”

“As a solicitor I can be the client’s general attorney, in all areas of law including family law, writing wills, conveyancing, criminal law, traffic, domestic violence, contracts and torts, estates and other general areas of law.”

First admitted to the bar as a barrister in 1975, Mr Crook held various roles in Brisbane for the Commonwealth and Federal Court.

“My roles and experience have varied, allowing me a good cross section of experience and knowledge.”

Previous roles have been Acting Deputy Registrar for the Family Court and Acting Deputy District Registrar for the Federal Court, as well as a Registrar of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal and Deputy Registrar in Bankruptcy

“I then moved my family out west to Charleville for a new challenge before moving to Warwick in 1991, and I was a solicitor from 1981 through to 2003,” he said.

“Returning to the role of a solicitor will allow me to be a client’s first point of contact on a wide range of issues and I will be able to assist throughout the case.”

Phillip E Crook, Lawyers will open up their offices at the BNW Centre on Wood St (opposite Zarraffas), on Friday, providing additional employment in the region in the form of an administrative assistant, and looking to expand in the future.

Those seeking legal assistance on and after Friday can drop into the office or call 4667 1180.