A SOUTH-Dorset law firm has appointed a new dispute resolution specialist as it continues to expand.

Battens Solicitors, which has offices in Dorchester and Weymouth, has appointed Jon Dobson to the firm as a senior associate solicitor.

Mr Dobson, who has been in the profession for more than 20 years, will specialise in the areas of professional negligence, litigation, land and property disputes and personal injury cases.

He will be based at Battens’ Weymouth and Dorchester offices, but will work across the firm’s offices in Dorset and Somerset.

Mr Dobson, who lives in Dorchester with his partner and young family, said: "I am enthusiastic about helping to further develop Battens’ excellent dispute resolution department, especially in and around Dorchester and Weymouth.

"I will continue to act for both commercial and private individuals to resolve their cases as efficiently and effectively as possible."

He is a Solicitor-Advocate (Higher Rights, Civil) - one of just 3,148 out of a total population of 129,922 practising solicitors nationwide, according to the latest figures from the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) for January 2015. This gives him the right to act as an advocate in all civil courts, including the Court of Appeal.

His extensive experience of representing clients in land and property disputes includes commercial and residential landlord and tenant cases, building and construction disputes, rights of way, boundaries and nuisance.

As well as commercial and consumer contract cases, Mr Dobson has successfully represented clients in a wide range of other disputes including seven figure professional negligence cases.

He is a member of the Solicitors Association of Higher Court Advocates, the Law Society Advocacy Section, the Professional Negligence Lawyers Association and the Property Litigation Association.

Welcoming Mr Dobson to the firm, Battens chairman David Stephens, said: "Jon’s expertise and ability will strengthen our dispute resolution department as we continue to expand.

“He recognises the practical and commercial merits of settlement without litigation wherever possible but has the competence to pursue cases through the courts where required in order to obtain the best outcome."

"We are sure Jon will prove invaluable to our many and varied clients as they seek a knowledgeable and authoritative lawyer to act on their behalf."