FAMILY law specialists at Irwin Mitchell are learning Cantonese and Mandarin for a new drop-in centre they have set up to advise women living in Manchester's Chinese community.

Lindsay Jones and head of family law Elizabeth Tait have teamed up with the Wai Yin Chinese Women's Society to provide free support on family law issues such as marital breakdown, cohabitation and domestic violence.

The duo are holding surgeries at Chinatown's Wai Yin each Tuesday and are learning basic phrases in Cantonese and Mandarin.

Irwin Mitchell, which has its Manchester office in Rossetti Place, Quay Street, is also translating its family law literature into those languages.

Lindsay said today: "We have set up the drop-in centre to help ensure access to justice for women who are unable to pay for help. The surgeries are very well-attended and we sometimes see up to six women per session.

"We'll not only advise on the best legal action to take and see the women through that, but we can help with additional support services, too, including referrals to counselling, therapeutic services and support, including psychologists, parenting consultants, women's shelters, life coaches, mediators and psychotherapists." Wai Yin, established in 1998, helps around 800 people a week.

Meanwhile, Irwin Mitchell has recruited Rosemary Johns as an assistant solicitor from rival Pannone to handle its private client work in the north west. This was previously handled from the firm's Sheffield offices.

Irwin Mitchell, which merged with Alexander Harris in 2006, has more than 120 staff in Manchester. Tweet