LAWYER Nigel Holden has become one of the first in the country to be awarded a new qualification.

Nigel, senior partner for Farleys, was among the first group to qualify with an MBA in legal practice from the University of Nottingham Trent.

The course was specially designed for students with management responsibilities in law firms, legal departments and barristers' chambers.

As part of the course Nigel attended residential courses at the university over two years and published a research work.

"It was a great honour to be selected for what was an extremely exclusive and unique course," said Nigel of the firm which has offices in Accrington, Blackburn and Burnley.

"It was particularly satisfying to be the only Lancastrian on the course and to convince my colleagues from the south of England that Northern law firms can compete with the big city firms on an equal footing."

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