Meet The Team
Jane Fiddes
Jane is the Director and Founder of Yellow Legal and has a wealth of experience in dealing with all aspects of sales and purchases including complex leasehold titles, new builds, shared ownership and right to buy transactions. Jane lives in Northumberland and has great working relationships with estate agents and mortgage advisors and has sound knowledge of the North East property market. She prides herself on providing a swift, personalised and quality service, which extends to the large number of nationwide clients in her portfolio. Having studied at Northumbria University, Jane qualified as a solicitor in 2002 and as a Probate Practitioner in 2023. Prior to moving into residential conveyancing, she practiced in family law and was previously accredited by Resolution as a Family Law Specialist and by the Law Society as a Children’s Representative. Jane is therefore accustomed to dealing with stressful situations and appreciates that buying or selling a property can be a major step in life and realises the importance of the transaction running smoothly.
Lucy Velasco
Lucy graduated from Northumbria University with First Class Honours in 2016. From there, Lucy gained employment as a paralegal in the Residential Conveyancing department of a city centre law firm. She subsequently started her training contract in September 2018 where she trained alongside Jane Fiddes and qualified in September 2020. Lucy joined Yellow Legal in February 2021 and was appointed as a Director of the company in August 2021. Lucy is used to dealing with a high-volume caseload.
Claire Gale
Claire is a Licensed Conveyancer having qualified in 2021 with 20 years’ experience in residential property and she also holds a BSc in Pharmacology and Physiology. A valued member of the team from the outset, Claire was promoted to join Jane and Lucy as a Director in July 2023. Having previously worked in both fast-paced city centre law firms as well as smaller local practices, Claire prides herself on her ability to put clients at ease. She is easily contactable and maintains a proactive approach throughout the conveyancing process. Originally from Manchester, Claire moved to Northumberland with her husband and daughter in 2019. She enjoys walking in the great outdoors and active holidays with her family.
Anne-Marie Thompson
Having studied law alongside Jane at Northumbria University, Anne-Marie qualified into residential conveyancing in 2001. After honing her talent with a city centre firm, Anne-Marie diversified with the legal department of a Local Authority before returning to conveyancing, again with a city centre firm. Complex leasehold titles, shared ownership and new build transactions are all well within Anne-Marie’s experience, which reflects her role as a Senior Associate and Head of Department. Having a naturally friendly and approachable personality, Anne-Maire has developed and maintained great relationships with referrers and clients alike, and these qualities will be invaluable in the growth and future development of the team.
Stephen Bell
Qualifying in 2006, having been a Legal Executive prior to that, Stephen has over 25 years’ experience in private client law. He specialised in Wills, Probate & Estate Administration, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Court of Protection and Inheritance Tax Planning. Stephen is originally from Devon and moved to Northumberland in 2023 joining Yellow Legal as an Associate Solicitor in October 2024. Having previously been a trustee of a bereavement counselling charity for 10 years, Stephen has developed a caring and sensitive approach to dealing with clients who are recently bereaved. Outside of work Stephen enjoys exploring the Northumberland coast. He is also an avid football, Formula 1 and music fan.
Louise Yabsley
Since graduating from Northumbria University, Louise has developed her expertise of all things conveyancing with local private practices as well as two Top 100 Law Firms in London before joining our team in April 2024. The diversity of these engagements has provided Louise with the knowledge required to deal with caseloads efficiently and effectively, all the while maintaining her delightfully positive energy. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her family and friends as well as taking long walks with her dog.
Gavin Young
Gavin is a Conveyancer with over 10 years’ experience in the sector and takes pride in his calming approach, particularly in communicating with clients. Conveyancing is known to be a stressful process and Gavin therefore appreciates that a simple call or email could have a great impact in relieving any lingering doubts his clients may have. Gavin specialises in dealing with residential sales, purchases, transfers of equity and remortgages. Outside of work, Gavin can often be found keeping fit, whether that be on a 6 a side football pitch or out running.
Cathrine Johnson
Cathrine is a conveyancer with over ten years’ experience in the sector, having worked in both large fast-paced law firms as well as smaller local practices. She takes pride in proactively managing her files and obtaining the best outcome for her clients. Cathrine has the CLC Level 4 diploma and is progressing through the Level 6 to obtain a full licence. Outside work, Cathrine likes to go on long walks or spending time with her family.
Terence Kennedy
Terence started his legal profession under the umbrella of a nationwide firm gaining valuable knowledge and experience as a Conveyancing Assistant. Having previously worked in a sales role for many years, Terence is familiar with the fast-paced environment of a conveyancing department and has embraced his role with great ambition. Taking customer care to heart, Terence prides himself on providing the best possible service to our clients, which has led to his promotion to Office Manager in June 2023.
Julia Holcroft
Julia is the most experienced member of our administration team and provides close support to Claire Gale. She has been working in the legal profession for over 20 years and has assisted in property transactions since 2007. Julia is proficient in her role and will be hands on throughout your transaction from the outset to completion. Outside of work Julia enjoys keeping fit including going to the gym, playing badminton and cycling with her family.
Caitlin Gibbons
Originally from Liverpool, Caitlin moved to Newcastle to study at Newcastle University and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Law in December 2022. With the decision to make the North East her home, Caitlin joined the team in January 2023 to embark on her first graduate role in the legal sector. While studying Caitlin took work in the social care sector, further embellishing her caring approach and communication finesse, skills that she now puts to good use while guiding Clients through the conveyancing process.
Darrion Borsberry
Darrion graduated from Northumbria University with a Masters In Law (exempting) in 2022 and also worked in hospitality for a number of years alongside her studies. Beginning her legal career at a city centre law firm, Darrion thrived in a busy conveyancing department and gained valuable experience in all aspects of the conveyancing process with specific focus on post-completion and Land Registry applications. Outside of work, Darrion can often be found going on long walks with her dog or going on hikes with her friends.
Tracy Bell
Originally from Lincolnshire, Tracy relocated to Northumberland in 2023. She has over 20 years’ experience in the legal profession and has worked in various departments including Private Client, Family Law and Residential Conveyancing. Prior to this she worked for a publishing company for over 11 years which required a good eye for detail and an ability to speed read which has helped greatly in her subsequent legal employment. In her spare time Tracy likes to travel and is a keen reader. She enjoys theatre trips, live music and spending time with family and friends and she is very much enjoying exploring all that Northumberland has to offer.
Oliver Fiddes
Having embarked on his first year at Northumbria University in September 2024 studying for a Solicitor Higher Apprenticeship, Oliver was eager to start his career after finishing his A levels and joins the team with previous experience in customer service backgrounds. Having the mindset to strive within a busy legal practice whilst maintaining the best results for the client, Oliver is excited to gain the experience and knowledge to not only qualify as a Solicitor, but to also achieve his goal to one day run his own firm.
Holly Blakey
Holly is studying as an apprentice solicitor through Northumbria University and joined Yellow Legal in September 2024. Having completed her A Levels in Business, Maths and Sport, she is set to qualify as a solicitor in 2030 and is looking forward to gaining the knowledge and experience required to advance her career beyond this. Outside of work, Holly loves to travel to new countries as well as spending time with her friends, family, and her dog.