Us

Neil Saunders – Consultant

Neil Saunders has, over the past 20 years, largely practised criminal law, both as a prosecutor and a defence advocate. Neil’s initial introduction to the law was a school leaver employed by Eversheds in Birmingham, thereafter articled to Johnson & Co (now Martineau Johnson) again in Birmingham. Since then, Neil has practiced in Sheffield, Manchester, London and Powys, a cross-section of disciplines including conveyancing, probate and local authority work.

In the 1980’s Neil joined the then new Crown Prosecution Service. After nearly 10 years as a Prosecutor, Neil set up his own practice on 1st May 1997, which has metamorphosed into Saunders Goodin Riddleston. Neil is a Duty Solicitor at both the police station and the Magistrates’ Court. He is also a Higher Courts Advocate.

Roger Thomson – Partner

Roger Thomson is a Partner in the firm and leads the Crown Court Department. He is an experienced Crown Court Advocate and represents clients at trial, dealing with a variety of serious crime, including murder, rape, drug offences, assault, fraud and dishonesty. Roger is also a Duty Solicitor and represents clients at both the Police Station and Magistrates’ Court.

Ian Duckworth Partner

Ian Duckworth obtained his LLB at Liverpool University, qualified in 1977 and since then has undertaken criminal work. He has been a Duty Solicitor since the scheme’s inception in the mid-1980s. He is also a Higher Courts Advocate. Ian has experience of all kinds of criminal matters from road traffic to murder.  Ian has run a number of successful criminal defence practices over the years prior to joining SGR as a Partner.

Tariq Khawam – Associate Solicitor

Tariq Khawam worked as a legal assistant in criminal law and other disciplines before qualifying in 2005.  Tariq practised in Carlisle before joining SGR in 2008 and is a Duty Solicitor, representing clients at both the police station and in the Magistrates’ Court.  He has recently obtained his qualification as a Higher Rights (Criminal) Advocate.

Shelley Lapatrie – Head of Family Department and Associate Solicitor

Shelley Lapatrie undertook the Bar Vocational Course in Manchester after completing her Law Degree and was Called to the Bar in July 2004. She then moved to Ipswich from Manchester in August 2004 and worked as a Legal Adviser at Ipswich Magistrates’ Court for five years, during which time Shelley completed the Qualified Lawyer’s Transfer Test to become duly-qualified and allow admission to the Roll of Solicitors in November 2008. She joined SGR as a Solicitor in July 2009.

Shelley practices both criminal and family law. Her work involves representing client’s in both the Magistrates’ Court and the family courts, along with undertaking police station work, court preparation and attending upon clients at the office. In July 2011 Shelley was made Head of the Family Department within the firm.

Sue Threadkell – Associate Solicitor

Sue Threadkell joined Graham and Oldham Solicitors in 1993, studied each year and ultimately gained Fellowship of the Institute of Legal Executives in 2003. Sue obtained police station accreditation in 2002 and, after studying her Legal Practice Course at the Anglia Ruskin University, Sue has recently gained qualification as a Solicitor and was admitted to the Roll on 17th October 2011. She joined SGR with Ian Duckworth in July 2006 following their working together at a number of firms over a period of 17 years.

Sue undertakes the majority of the firm’s police station work, conducts Crown Court and Magistrates’ Court preparation and attends upon clients at the office.