One of Carlisle’s leading legal specialists in property conveyancing has been promoted.

Gemma Duncan was recently appointed as an associate at Wragg Mark-Bell, the Castle Street based law firm.

Widely respected for her work helping people with buying and selling homes, she regularly receives glowing reviews with clients saying that she puts their minds at rest.

Gemma said: “I am delighted to have been made an associate. I have wanted the opportunity for this progression where I can train other conveyancers and support them, and also work more closely with the directors.”

She joined Wragg Mark-Bell in August 2024 and becomes only the second associate at the firm.

In her new role, she will help to supervise a team of conveyancers, and she says she is keen to use her 24 years’ experience to help them progress.

Nick Kennon, managing director of Wragg Mark-Bell, said: “We were excited to bring Gemma into the firm two years ago and we are delighted to promote her to the position of associate now.

“She has a wealth of experience and an outstanding reputation with clients, and we look forward to her expanding influence within the team.”

Gemma’s career began after university when she took a role as a secretary at another Carlisle law firm.

“I decided to do the licenced conveyancing qualification and progressed from being a secretary to a fee earner,” said Gemma, who built a depth of experience across many different cases.

“I did cover for one of the partners for a week when he was away and they threw me right in and said see how you get on.

“I really got stuck in and the feedback was you are ready to start your own files.

“I covered a lot of different legal titles and purchases and sales and so my knowledge grew through that variety, and working alongside different fee earners.”

It was daunting at first, she says, but she never looked back.

“I am looking forward to passing on my knowledge to other junior members and giving them the confidence to progress.”

Gemma hopes to become a senior associate in the future but says she always wants to stay hands-on, dealing with cases for clients.

“It’s nice to get the good feedback from clients. I think unlike some other firms we are easy to approach.

“We put clients first and really listen to their requirements and try to progress things as quickly as we can,” she said.

“I had a client recently who sat down and said, you are the first legal firm where I can understand what you are talking about. 

“Buying and selling a house can be quite a worrying time and we try to make things as easy and clear as possible.

“Often, clients might be having their first baby and moving into their first house or buying a home to settle down.

“I really enjoy the fact that we are helping people to move on with their lives.”

Gemma deals with all areas of residential conveyancing, freehold and leasehold, re-mortgages, equity release and right to buy.