HALLIWELLS Solicitors has recruited its 100th partner who will head a new PFI practice in Manchester. Neil Wilson joins from Robert Muckle in Newcastle, where he was head of construction.

He has specialised in PFI work for a decade, advising on schemes in the education, transport, housing, water and health sectors.

The team is the latest to be established at Halliwells, which also has offices in Liverpool, Sheffield and London.

Managing partner Ian Austin and Julian Diaz-Rainey are heading an inquiries and investigations unit, which forms part of Halliwells' dispute resolution group.

It is advising companies on matters such as fraud, director and shareholder disagreements, health and safety failures, product liability and regulatory issues.

In the past few months, the firm has set up marine and transport and regulatory crime divisions.

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