Norman Hart

Norman Hart, a partner and head of the conveyancing team, will continue on a consultancy basis for one day a week with BHP Law, the firm he led with Peter Blackett and John Pratt.

 

He will devote the rest of the time to his community work with Finchale Training College, Durham City Rotary Club, Durham University’s debating society the Union Society, a trustee of the Freeman of Durham, gardening, photography and model building.

 

Inspired to become a solicitor by his Durham University lecturer Leo Blair, the father of former Prime Minister Tony Blair, Norman’s career got off to a shaky start in Darlington.

 

“I was articled to a law firm in Darlington in 1969 and on my very first day they sent me to the local magistrates’ court to represent a hardened criminal,” recalled Norman, 67, who lives in Durham and has also been a deputy coroner in the city.

 

“My client was facing a string of offences and I had to advise him even though I had never been in a court before. He saw right through me. I told him to plead guilty and I think he got sent down. I was just glad to get out of there. I am grateful to Leo Blair; he was a fascinating character and inspired me to go for law.”

 

Born in Salford, Norman was brought up in Dumfriesshire and moved to the North-East when his father Tom joined a GP practice in Durham.

 

“He actually played football for Rangers to pay his way through medical school; how things have changed,” said Norman.

 

“In 1971 I joined LJ Heron and Co in Durham. The firm became Burt, Hart and Pratt in the mid 1970s and then Blackett Hart & Pratt in 1993.

 

“I think the most striking thing I have witnessed is the change from law as a pure profession into big business. Today we see an increasing amount of specialisation but what John and I have been able to bring to the business is a background of general law.

 

“A typical day would have seen us at court in the morning then working on wills, matrimonial issues and personal injury claims. People still look at us as their family lawyers who can take care of all their needs; very much like the family doctor.”

 

Norman’s wife Jennifer has spent her career working as a hospital doctor covering infants to the elderly. They have two children, Fiona who is a solicitor, teacher and authoress, and Ailsa, who is a medical consultant.

 

John said: “It has been a joy to work with Norman, we have been together now for 34 years and hardly had a cross word in all those years. We trust each other 100 per cent. He is an absolute gentleman and that shines through in the way he does the job. Many of his clients are also his friends and will be sadly missed. We are all delighted he is continuing as a Consultant with us. Norman has remained at the helm of our office in Durham and is very much part of the business and social community in the city. Long may that continue”