NIGEL BROOKES, Senior Partner, has been with the firm since 1976, and has for many years specialised in litigation. Since 1988 he has been Deputy District Judge hearing and deciding small claims cases and acting as administrator of larger claims. He has long experience also of family law matters, personal injury claims and general contract litigation. Since 1998 he has been Assistant Deputy Coroner for Wiltshire and Swindon. He is married with three daughters, all now independent, and he is active in local affairs including taking