GN Law Solicitors
Overview
GN Law is an independent, regional full-service law firm operating nationally from offices in North Finchley (London) and Bedford. The firm specialises in public-facing practice areas with particular strength in Court of Protection, Mental Health, Family Law, Actions Against Police & Public Bodies and Private Client (Wills, Trusts & Probate), and is a significant provider of legally aided mental health law services. GN Law emphasises practical client-focused service (Lexcel-accredited) and has grown from a team of 10 in 2006 to a team of over 70 professionals, distinguishing itself through high-volume public law work, courtroom advocacy and a training culture that promotes people from paralegal roles into fee-earning and management positions.
- Headquarters: North Finchley, London (2a Lodge Lane, N12 8JR)
- Lawyers: Over 70 professionals
- Trainees: 6 (typical)
- Offices: 2
Values & Culture
Practice Areas
- Public Law
- Family Law
- Healthcare & Life Sciences
- Private Client & Wealth
- Dispute Resolution & Litigation
- Housing & Social Housing
Geographic Focus: GN Law operates nationally across England from its two offices in North Finchley (London) and Bedford. The firm serves local communities across Barnet, Finchley, Hampstead, Golders Green, Hendon, Mill Hill, Whetstone, Friern Barnet, Muswell Hill, Highgate, Crouch End, Woodside Park, Totteridge, Arkley and extends to Bedfordshire towns (including Borehamwood, Berkhamsted, Aylesbury and Watford). A core part of the practice is legally aided mental health and Court of Protection work instructed by,
Training Contract
GN Law operates a two-year fixed training contract composed of two primary 12-month seats (introduced March 2020). Seats can be mixed (allowing experience in more than two areas) but typically trainees spend a year in each of two main departments. Trainees are treated as fee-earners with real client responsibility, an extensive induction programme, weekly departmental meetings, quarterly supervisor meetings and formal six-month reviews which usually coincide with seat changes.
- Trainee Intake: 3 training contracts are available each March (typically six trainees in post at any one time). Applications are invited in the preceding July/August,
- Academic Requirements: Minimum of a 2:1 degree is normally required; the firm will consider applicants with extenuating circumstances and values demonstrable interest in the firm's specialist areas. The firm accepts non-law graduates (GDL) and values relevant work experience and direct involvement in its practice areas.
- Application Deadline: TBC
Seat Options
- Mental Health
- Court of Protection
- Family
- Actions Against Police & Public Bodies
- Wills, Trusts & Probate
Mentorship
Supervision is continuous via an open-plan office environment with weekly departmental meetings, quarterly one-to-one supervisory meetings and formal six-month training reviews. The firm runs in-house coaching and leadership training and video training to develop client-facing skills. Directors and supervisors provide active mentorship and line management throughout the training contract.
Programmes & Schemes
Paid summer internship offered annually. Interns are placed across two departments, gaining practical experience for between one and four weeks. The programme is open to applicants in their final year of university or those who already hold a Law degree; it is competitive with priority given to early applicants. Application requires a CV and tailored covering letter emailed to HR, and completion of the firm's equal opportunities form.
- Duration: 1–4 weeks
- Salary: Paid (amount not specified)
- Deadline: TBC
GN Law runs a variety of work experience placements and invitation-only open afternoons throughout the year to provide insight into firm life and the work of a law firm. Applicants should email a CV and covering letter indicating the areas of law they wish to experience and their stage in legal education. Candidates are asked to complete an equal opportunities monitoring form.
Notable Matters
Upper Tribunal judgment providing key guidance on mental health tribunal procedures where patients have court-appointed representatives and capacity/consent disputes arise. GN Law’s Omiros Nicholas acted for the patient, securing principles balancing effective representation with meaningful participation and standards for capacity assessments in tribunal proceedings.
Healthcare & Life Sciences
High Court financial remedies hearing where GN Law represented Mrs Mahtani following successful challenge to foreign divorce recognition. The court drew adverse inferences for the husband’s non-engagement and awarded the claimant £13.9 million — a high-value family finance outcome that underlines the firm’s capability in complex financial remedy litigation.
Family Law
Court of Appeal decision clarifying that a family member who lived with a secure tenant for the qualifying period can exercise a shared right to buy even if the tenant dies before formal recognition. GN Law’s Navin Bundhoo represented the claimant and preserved the surviving family member’s statutory entitlement.
Housing & Social Housing
Court of Appeal decision reaffirming Aintree principles in a life-sustaining treatment appeal. GN Law’s Lilian Efstathiou acted in appellate proceedings concerning discontinuation of life-sustaining treatment, contributing to authoritative guidance on best-interests analysis in end-of-life Court of Protection litigation.
Public Law
Court of Protection ruling on end-of-life treatment for a patient in a prolonged disorder of consciousness. GN Law represented the mother opposing the ICB’s application; the judgment addressed complex medical evidence and best-interests balancing in life-sustaining treatment decisions.
Public Law
Court of Protection authority authorising sedation for an incapacitated adult to receive COVID‑19 vaccination. GN Law’s Maria Nicholas acted for the litigation friend and the case contributed to the emerging jurisprudence on proportionate measures for administering vaccinations to incapacitated adults.
Public Law
What GN Law Solicitors Looks For
Key Competencies
- Client empathy and strong client care
- Ability to work in a team-based environment
- Strong verbal and written communication
- Commitment, common sense and resilience
- Practical advocacy and case-handling aptitude
- Interest in the firm's specialist areas (Mental Health, Court of Protection, Family, Actions Against Police)
Evidence Signals
- Previous paralegal experience (especially within GN Law)
- Completion of a law degree (minimum 2:1 normally) or progress on GDL/LPC/SQE
- Practical experience of advocacy or attendance at hospital managers’ meetings for mental health work
- Relevant internship or work-experience placements
- Commitment to legal aid/public law work or community/legal outreach
Benefits & Wellbeing
- Discretionary Bonus Scheme (quarterly and annual bonus)
- Private Pension Scheme / enrolment into GN Law’s pension scheme
- Up to 25 days annual leave
- Hybrid working (default 3 home / 2 office)
- Enhanced maternity & shared parental pay / enhanced maternity/parental leave package
- Employee Assistance and Wellbeing Programme (Health Assured)
- Health insurance after 2 years of employment
- Professional development support (support to obtain accreditations and rankings in Chambers & Partners and Legal 500)
- Cycle-to-work scheme
- Study leave for trainees: 5 paid study days per year
Wellbeing
Employee Assistance Programme delivered by Health Assured; wellbeing initiatives and support; in-house coaching and leadership training and video-based coaching to support professional development and mental wellbeing.
Awards & Recognition
- Law Society Lexcel Accreditation
- Law Society Mental Capacity (Welfare) Accreditation (accredited lawyers listed)
- Law Society Wills & Inheritance Quality
- Law Society Children Law accreditation
- Chambers & Partners recognition for Court of Protection / Mental Health team (quotes cited from 2025)
- Resolution membership
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
The firm states it has a diverse team and uses an Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form as part of recruitment. GN Law promotes internal progression and outreach activity aimed at widening access and supporting community legal needs.
- Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form (published on the site)
- GN Outreach
- Participation in charitable/legal access events (Great Legal Bake, London Legal Walk)
- Support for cancer research fundraising
Innovation
The firm invests in staff development through an internal coaching and leadership programme and uses video training so trainees and staff can analyse and improve how they interact with clients and in hearings. Trainees engage directly with video-based feedback as part of their induction and ongoing training; there is no public detail of proprietary legal-tech platforms.
- In-house coaching and leadership training
- Video training for client-facing skills and advocacy development
Quick Application Angles
- Demonstrate a sustained interest in Mental Health/Court of Protection or Family Law: reference relevant GN Law cases (e.g., life‑sustaining treatment and Court of Protection appeals) and explain why you want to work with vulnerable, legally aided clients.
- If you have paralegal or internship experience, explain specific responsibilities and outcomes (e.g., own-file responsibility, attendance at hearings) — GN Law converts paralegals to trainees and values demonstrable fee-earning experience.
- Mention the firm’s Lexcel accreditation, Mental Capacity accreditations and community/outreach work to show alignment with GN Law’s client-first and quality-focused culture.
- For internship/work-experience applications, apply early (priority given to early applicants for the summer internship) and include the equal opportunities monitoring form with your CV and tailored covering letter sent to hr@gnlaw.co.uk.
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