Pictured above: Solicitor Aileen Chapman ,centre, with team members Joanne Fasey (FILEX Legal Executive), left, and Jill Wilkinson (Para Legal)

A firm of solicitors and family mediators has expanded by setting up a second office in Alfreton's busy High Street.

Chapman and Chubb was set up in 1993 in two houses in Nottingham Road, Somercotes, which had been converted into offices.

In 2006 the firm bought the former Courtaulds clothing factory next door and use part of it, with the remainder rented out to other businesses.

The firm deals specifically with accident compensation claims, general litigation, family matters, family mediation, property matters, and wills, trusts and probate, but does not deal with criminal issues.

It employs 15 people - three solicitors, two legal executives, one paralegal (a qualified legal assistant) and support staff. It has recently taken on another lawyer, one with more than 30 years experience in accident and injury claims.

Under principal Aileen Chapman the firm has been looking to expand for more than two years.

It identified a former optician's premises at 5 High Street, Alfreton, which had been empty for some time, and has had planning consent from Amber Valley for conversion to an office for 18 months. But the move was delayed because of negotiations between the property owner and the previous tenant.

The new premises - situated among other related businesses - have a reception and a two interview rooms on the ground floor, with easy access for people with disabilities.

There is plenty of on-street parking as well as council car parks nearby.

Clients will be able to see specialist staff either at the new office in Alfreton or at the head office at Shane House in Somercotes, whichever suits them best.

The new premises are open from 8am on Mondays to Fridays to serve busy workers as well as one late night each week and will also be open Saturday mornings when the town is bustling with shoppers.

Although some solicitors' firms have closed down because of the recession and overhead increases Chapman and Chubb has just received instructions from its 8000th client.

Aileen said: "I'm delighted that after a long delay we are able to move into our new premises and offer our various services at times which will be convenient to clients."

As well as traditional items, the company offers a service so that people who are buying or selling property can check the progress of the deal on line or be kept up to date with text messages.