We have been providing legal representation to individuals and businesses since 1929

Our founding ethos was distinctly service orientated, something that continues to inspire us today.

Our yardstick for success is client satisfaction.

Hewitt & Gilpin works hard to serve clients, whether it's in the corporate environment, the courtroom or working alongside our clients who may be moving house, drafting wills, trusts or administering an estate after a bereavement.

We represent clients from a broad range of backgrounds and businesses and maintain an optimum practice size that ensures we can deliver the same levels of personal service that made us who we are, whilst still being in a position to conclude major transactions.

"Our goal is client satisfaction, with an emphasis on excellent service"

Unlike lots of firms, when you engage us to act for you, you can be confident that your case will be handled by a fully trained solicitor registered on the Roll of Solicitors in Northern Ireland. That means when you need information, have a query or require advice, you can be assured that the advice given will be excellent and the service will be personal.

The emphasis on personal service has helped us to attract new clients, develop relationships, fine tune our skills, grow our capabilities in line with the changing needs of our clients and to retain them for the long term.

The importance of a positive “customer experience” is nothing new to Hewitt & Gilpin. It’s a course we have charted since Thomas Hewitt started the practice in Belfast in 1929. It’s easy to boast about your strengths and capabilities, but the ultimate test of your claim is what your clients say about you, and how actively they recommend you to others.

Integrity is a principle that has guided Hewitt & Gilpin for more than 94 years.

This strong ethos underpins Hewitt & Gilpin's particular brand of legal representation, defining behaviours and shaping perceptions in the marketplace.

Explore our values

To pursue integrity, excellence and efficiency in the provision of advice to our clients.
To act with diligence, integrity and concern towards each other, clients and members of staff and to treat all with mutual respect.
To operate within a sustainable framework to ensure that our clients receive the advice and services they need, that directors and staff are fairly rewarded for the contributions they make and that our financial base is as strong as it needs to be to make this possible.
To nurture a work-life balance which fits within the parameters of operating a sustainable business and ensuring that our clients' needs are met.
To aim to make a proactive difference in society and within local communities and so a reasonable proportion of our work shall be directed towards the assistance of charitable organisations, including those that are faith based, and to the promotion of social justice.
To recognise that some may choose to work here not only to have a good job and build their career, but also to further and contribute to specific social and spiritual goals both in what they do and the way they do it, and to encourage this.
To ensure that we do not unlawfully discriminate on the grounds of age, race, colour, ethnic or national origin, gender, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, religion, belief or any other ground on which people may be treated less favourably than others.

Our people

Unlike lots of firms, when you engage us to act for you, you can be confident that your case will be handled by a fully trained solicitor registered on the Roll of Solicitors in Northern Ireland.

That means when you need information, have a query or require advice, you can be assured that the advice given will be excellent and the service will be personal.

Our directors

Graeme Hamilton

Director

Contact information

forward_to_inboxghamilton@hewittandgilpin.co.uk

phone02890 573580

Graeme graduated from Queen's University, Belfast and St. Antony’s College, Oxford before qualifying as a solicitor in Hewitt & Gilpin's Business Services department in 2004. Graeme became a Director in the practice in 2013.

Graeme also acts for a wide range of commercial clients in both contentious and non-contentious civil matters.

He acts for private sector lenders, borrowers and banks in funding and investment agreements, secured financing and refinancing arrangements including drafting and negotiating facility and investment agreements, security documentation and inter-lender agreements.

He acts for both landlords and tenants in lease transactions and advises in all matters relating to commercial property and business tenancies. He has experience in drafting and negotiating commercial contracts and ancillary documents, particularly in relation to business and share acquisitions and disposals.

He represents clients in the King’s Bench Division of the High Court, the Commercial Court and the County Court in a range of commercial actions including commercial contract and building disputes. He also has an extensive debt recovery practice and advises clients on enforcement options, whether through the issuing of insolvency proceedings or via the EJO.

Given his experience in the commercial property field, he often represents clients in the Lands Tribunal whether in bringing applications in respect of business tenancies matters (for both landlords and tenants), rent reviews or extinguishment or modification of restrictive covenants.

Increasingly he has acted for a number of clients through mediation processes where his experience in acting in both contentious and non-contentious commercial matters has proved invaluable.
Graeme is a part-time tutor at the Institute of Professional Legal Studies.

Areas of expertise

Business Services Dispute Resolution Public Law

David Wheeler

Director

Contact information

forward_to_inboxdwheeler@hewittandgilpin.co.uk

phone02890 573592

David studied at Dundee University and graduated with an honours degree in Law in 1998. Following study at the Institute of Professional Legal Studies and an apprenticeship with Hewitt & Gilpin, David qualified as a solicitor in 2000. David became a Director in the practice in 2010.

David is based in the practice’s Business Services department.

He acts for both landlords and tenants in lease transactions and advises on all matters relating to commercial property and business tenancies. He has acted for the landlord of a major regional shopping centre and a number of major regional and international retailers.

He has considerable experience in drafting and negotiating commercial contracts particularly in connection with business and share acquisitions and disposals, and joint ventures.

He acts for banks, private sector lenders and borrowers in funding and investment agreements, secured financing and refinancing arrangements including drafting and negotiating facility agreements, investment agreements, security documentation and inter lender agreements.

David also acts for many charities, providing advice on compliance with charities legislation and on charity formation and governance, and has an active personal involvement with a number of local charities.

David is a member of the Company and Commercial Lawyers Group

Areas of expertise

Business Services Charity Law

Tim Bradshaw

Director

Contact information

forward_to_inboxtbradshaw@hewittandgilpin.co.uk

phone02890 573579

Tim qualified as a solicitor in 2002 in England and Wales and, having initially qualified and practiced in two large corporate firms, returned to Northern Ireland in 2004.

Tim is based in the practice's Commercial department and acts for a number of large corporate clients.

He acts for both buyers and sellers in business and share acquisitions and disposals, and joint ventures.

He regularly advises corporate clients and company directors in respect of company law compliance and governance issues, corporate formations and restructuring, share issues, redemptions and reclassifications.

He has considerable experience in drafting and negotiating commercial contracts, particularly in relation to franchising agreements. He has particular expertise in drafting supply and distribution agreements in the agri-food sector.

He provides advice in relation to competition law compliance and has recently provided training to clients concerning compliance procedures, reviewing marketing materials, and first response protocols regarding OFT investigations and dawn raids.

He advises clients in respect of copyright and trade mark protection and exploitation including drafting and negotiating intellectual property licences and assignments, and registration of intellectual property rights. He has recently acted for businesses in respect of copyright infringement and passing off claims.

He acts for private sector lenders and borrowers, advising on funding and investment agreements, secured financing and refinancing arrangements and in the drafting and negotiation of facility agreements, investment agreements, security documentation and inter lender agreements.

Areas of expertise

Business Services

Craig Russell

Director

Contact information

forward_to_inboxcrussell@hewittandgilpin.co.uk

phone02890 271394

After qualifying as a solicitor in 1997, Craig worked as a private client solicitor at Harrisons Solicitors, Chichester Street, Belfast, until joining Hewitt and Gilpin in September 2015. Craig became a director in the practice in 2020 and works in the practice’s Conveyancing and Private Client department.

Craig graduated from Jesus College, Oxford with a first class honours degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics in 1993 which he followed with a Certificate in Academic Legal Studies (1995) and subsequently, was awarded his professional qualification in 1997, both from Queens University, Belfast, where he finished as the top student in his year.

Craig has over 25 years’ experience in all aspects of property work in Northern Ireland including residential sales, purchases and mortgages. He also has substantial experience in the acquisition of sites for property development for both private sector and housing association purposes, and in the sale of units in new developments.

Craig has wide experience of drafting wills and advises clients on inheritance tax and the preservation of assets, obtaining probate and administering estates, and dealing with enduring powers of attorney and controllership orders. Craig has acted for charitable bodies including in changes of trustees. He is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP).

Areas of expertise

House Sales and Purchases Wills, Probate & Estate Management

Our senior associates, associates and apprentices

Helen Armstrong

Senior Associate

Contact information

forward_to_inboxharmstrong@hewittandgilpin.co.uk

Helen joined Hewitt and Gilpin's Dispute Resolution department in November 2023.

Helen studied at Queen's University and the College of Law, Chester. She was admitted the Roll of Solicitors in 2010 and has since worked for an international commercial law firm and regional firms, gaining extensive litigation experience in matrimonial and private client matters.

Helen is an experienced litigator and advises clients on a broad range of matters including divorce and family proceedings, business and commercial disputes, personal injury and medical negligence. Helen has also been involved in cases involving shareholder/partner disputes, business sales and acquisitions, debt recovery, insolvency, repossession, commercial leases, loan and security agreements, licensing and various breach of contract cases including those relating to the supply of business goods and services. In addition, Helen has been involved in unique and highly sensitive medical negligence cases for private individuals against the both the Trust and institutions such as the Ministry of Defence. Helen has experience of adjudications, arbitrations, mediations and mainly High Court actions.

Helen has acted for a wide range of lenders, insurers, businesses, insolvency practitioners, company directors and partners and private clients in respect of litigation matters.

Helen is a member of Women in Business, a member of The Society of Construction Law, a member of The British Irish Commercial Bar Association, a member of the Professional Negligence Lawyers Association Firm and a member of The Law Society Commercial Practice Group.

Helen is qualified to practice in Northern Ireland and England and Wales.

Areas of expertise

Dispute Resolution Employment Law Family & Matrimonial Law Public Law

We have been providing trusted and pragmatic advice since 1929 - we're there for you when you need us.

We can provide a tailored and personal service and handle your complex legal needs.

Let's talk

We have been providing legal representation to individuals and businesses since 1929

Our founding ethos was distinctly service orientated, something that continues to inspire us today.

Our yardstick for success is client satisfaction.

"Our goal is client satisfaction, with an emphasis on excellent service"

Integrity is a principle that has guided Hewitt & Gilpin for more than 94 years.

This strong ethos underpins Hewitt & Gilpin's particular brand of legal representation, defining behaviours and shaping perceptions in the marketplace.

Explore our values

Our people

Unlike lots of firms, when you engage us to act for you, you can be confident that your case will be handled by a fully trained solicitor registered on the Roll of Solicitors in Northern Ireland.

That means when you need information, have a query or require advice, you can be assured that the advice given will be excellent and the service will be personal.

Our directors

Naomi Gowan

Graeme Hamilton

David Wheeler

Tim Bradshaw

Craig Russell

Avril Browne

Our senior associates, associates and apprentices

Heidi Doogan

Derek Lawther

Helen Armstrong

Mark Kelly

Ashleigh Russell

Christine Rennie

Ben Holley

We have been providing trusted and pragmatic advice since 1929 - we're there for you when you need us.

We can provide a tailored and personal service and handle your complex legal needs.