South Tyneside law courts solicitor appointed as new deputy district judge
South Tyneside law courts defence solicitor appointed as a deputy district judge.
A defence solicitor who has plied his trade in South Tyneside’s law courts has been appointed a deputy district judge.
Jason Smith, 55, is expected to work in his new role across the north east’s magistrates’ courts, including in South Shields.
He qualified as a solicitor in 1993 and has extensive experience of trials and is recognised as a tenacious advocate across criminal defence, regulatory and road traffic offences.
The law expert is regularly instructed in serious cases including terrorism and complex financial crime and all other regular criminal law offences.
His appointment comes as his law firm, Sunderland-based DJMS Solicitors, relocates its Newcastle office to more expansive premises in The Side, at the Quayside.
The firm said the move follows a 15 percent increase in headcount since the start of last year, alongside rising instructions from clients.
Mr Smith is managing director and a founder of the company, which also has offices in South Shields, North Shields, Gateshead and Consett.