Specialism
Mark is from Carlisle. He began his career in law when he joined the Carlisle Branch Office of the Crown Prosecution Service.
Career
Mark qualified as a Legal Executive in 1998 and moved into Private Practice with Bendles practising Criminal and Family Law. In 2001 he joined a firm in West Cumbria exclusively practising all aspects of Family Law whilst continuing his legal studies. He completed the Post Graduate Legal Practice Course at De Montfort University in Leicester, and qualified as a Solicitor in December 2004. Mark joined Gaynham King & Mellor as an Associate Solicitor in October 2007 exclusively practising Matrimonial and Family Law. He became a Partner in January 2009 and a Director in 2019 when the firm incorporated.
Mark became a Partner in Bendles solicitors on 01.04.26 when Bendles Solicitors merged with GKM Solicitors.
He acts for both privately paying and publicly funded clients in all aspects of Family Law and as a specialist member of the Law Society’s Children’s Panel, Mark frequently provides expert advice and assistance to parents, wider family members and children involved in Local Authority intervention/Child Care Proceedings. He has also advised Local Authority Independent Reviewing officers in matters concerning the involvement of Children’s services.
Mark’s skills as a Family Solicitor have been recognised through his admission to the Law Society’s Children’s Panel (permitting him to represent children subject of proceedings) and the Law Society’s Family Law Panel. He also has Accredited Specialist status with the UK’s leading Family Law Group, Resolution, in matters concerning Children Law and Financial issues arising in Divorce.
Member of the Law Society’s Children Law Panel
Member of the Law Society’s Family Law Panel
Member of Resolution
Resolution Accredited Specialist: Advanced Financial Provision & Children Law – Private
Interests
Outside of work Mark enjoys spending time with his family and has a passion for golf and football.