An experienced criminal defence solicitor is the latest recruit at a Carlisle law firm.

Andrew Gurney has joined Wragg Mark-Bell as a solicitor advocate after 15 years as a partner at his own practice in the south of England and then two years working in Dubai before moving to Cumbria.

Andrew, 43, from Hastings in East Sussex, was admitted as a solicitor in 2005 having earned a degree at the University of East Anglia and then completed his Legal Practice Course (LPC) at the College of Law, now the University of Law, in London.

After qualifying as a duty solicitor, he obtained his higher rights of audience which enabled him to be an advocate in all courts of the UK.

While running his practice in Kent, he specialised in crown court advocacy, dealing with large-scale drug importation cases.

Advocacy, representing clients in court is, he says, the best part of the job.

“There’s nothing worse than seeing someone innocent go to prison. You’ve got to fight for your clients.

“And often you get very vulnerable people who find themselves in the system.”

Outside work, Andrew enjoys sport, going to the gym, and movies.