AN AWARD-WINNING family solicitor is the latest to joining the ranks of one Oswestry's leading law firms.

Deon Hayward joined GHP Legal as a Paralegal in 2019 and within six months she had been offered a training contract to become a fully-qualified solicitor, gaining experience at the firm’s head office in Wrexham then in Oswestry.

Working throughout the Covid 19 pandemic, Deon – who was born and raised in Wrexham – assisted wherever she was needed.

Her hard work and commitment was rewarded when she qualified on October 1 into the firm’s Family department in Oswestry, where she now undertakes all work relating to family matters, from divorce, finance, care proceedings, pre-proceedings and separation, to children and domestic abuse.

She said: “I am so grateful to the firm for giving me the opportunity to complete the training contract with them.

"And to my colleagues and the firm’s training partner, Nathan Wright, for the guidance they provided throughout the training contract.

"No matter how much pressure they themselves were under during the difficult pandemic period, they were always patient and willing to assist.”

Deon attended Liverpool John Moores University, where she received the Moses Ackah Prize for the highest results in Land Law before graduating with a First Class BA Hons degree in Law and Criminal Justice.

Following her graduation she completed the LLM, Legal Practice Course (LPC) with combined Masters at University of Law, Chester.

While studying, Deon spent three years as a volunteer at Welsh Women’s Aid (now DASU), where she became a part of STAR Crucial Crew to deliver presentations to secondary school students to raise awareness of domestic abuse and won the Wales Volunteer of the Year Award.

She has also volunteered at the Personal Support Unit, Chester Family Court, assisting litigants in person through court proceedings. confirming her deep interest in Family Law.