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50+ Years
experience
Emergency
services
Your Trusted Legal Partner in Burnley
At Donald Race & Newton Solicitors, we are committed to delivering exceptional legal advice and outstanding client care. Our team comprises top-quality, experienced solicitors who specialise in various areas of law, ensuring expert guidance tailored to your specific needs. We believe that expert legal advice is the foundation of our service, but we go beyond by providing proactive support throughout every case. Our approach keeps clients fully informed at every stage, empowering them to feel in control while benefiting from a friendly, approachable team.

We prioritise straightforward, jargon-free communication to ensure clarity and understanding. Our dedication extends to protecting your interests and achieving the best possible outcomes consistently. With a reputation for excellence, we combine professional expertise with a personal touch, making complex legal matters accessible and manageable for every client.
Services
Family Law Conveyancing Corporate Law Wills & Probate Criminal Defence Clinical Negligence Employment Law Personal Injury Road Traffic Offences Wealth Management
Details
  • Year established: 1924
Highlights and features
  • We have over 95 years of combined legal expertise since 1924.
  • Our client-focused approach ensures tailored solutions for every case.
  • Specialist solicitors across 10+ practice areas including family and corporate law.
  • Transparent fixed-fee pricing with no hidden costs.
  • 24/7 emergency legal helpline for urgent matters.
Associations and certifications
  • Solicitors Regulation Authority
What people say
Exceptional support Seamless process Highly recommend Fantastic service Excellent communication
Services
Family Law
Our dedicated family law team helps clients navigate relationship breakdowns with sensitivity and expertise. We specialise in child custody arrangements, financial settlements, and domestic disputes while prioritising children's welfare. Clients benefit from our proactive approach that minimises conflict through negotiation while maintaining readiness for court representation when necessary. With over 20 years' experience in Children Act matters, we provide clear guidance through emotionally challenging situations.
Conveyancing
We offer streamlined residential property transactions with fixed-fee pricing and dedicated case management. Our conveyancing specialists handle purchases, sales, and remortgages while maintaining transparent communication throughout the process. Clients appreciate our responsiveness to queries and ability to resolve issues promptly, particularly in complex international transactions. With decades of local market knowledge, we ensure smooth completions while protecting clients' legal interests at every stage.
Criminal Defence
Our criminal defence team provides urgent representation for serious offences including fraud, drug conspiracies, and violent crimes. Available 24/7, we offer immediate police station attendance and pre-charge investigation support. With specialist expertise in handling telephone evidence cases and complex prosecutions, we develop strategic defences while maintaining client confidentiality. Our proactive approach focuses on preventing charges through early evidence submission and legal representations.
Clinical Negligence
We represent clients who have suffered harm from medical treatment errors, including misdiagnosis and surgical mistakes. Our solicitors combine legal expertise with compassionate support while pursuing compensation for life-changing injuries. We handle complex cases involving birth injuries, delayed cancer diagnoses, and surgical errors. With experience in high-value claims, we work with medical experts to establish liability and secure appropriate compensation for ongoing care needs.
Corporate Law
We provide comprehensive legal support for businesses from start-ups to established corporations. Our services include contract drafting, commercial property transactions, and dispute resolution. With sector-specific knowledge across manufacturing, hospitality, and agriculture, we offer commercially focused advice tailored to business needs. Our team assists with mergers, acquisitions, and regulatory compliance while maintaining transparent fee structures for predictable budgeting.
People
David Lawson
Criminal Law Solicitor
Admitted in 1995, David specialises in serious criminal defence cases with a focus on pre-charge representations and complex prosecutions. He leads our 24/7 emergency helpline service.
Matthew Finley
Litigation Solicitor
With 25+ years' experience since qualification in 1998, Matthew handles building disputes and civil litigation cases, focusing on debt recovery and contractual disagreements.
Karen Frankland
Family Law Head
Leading our family department with over 20 years' experience in Children Act matters, Karen specialises in custody disputes and complex family court proceedings.
Gillian Taylor
Family Solicitor
Qualified in 2006, Gillian provides expert guidance on child residence arrangements and relationship breakdowns, combining legal knowledge with empathetic client support.
Nicola Barrow
Family Law Specialist
Recognised for her empathetic approach, Nicola handles complex family disputes with a focus on protecting vulnerable clients while achieving favourable court outcomes.
Questions
What areas of law do you specialise in?
We specialise in family law, conveyancing, corporate law, criminal defence, clinical negligence, and employment law, with solicitors across 10+ practice areas.
Do you offer emergency legal services?
Yes, our 24/7 emergency helpline provides immediate legal support for arrests or urgent matters requiring police station attendance.
How are your legal fees structured?
Most services operate on fixed-fee pricing with transparent costs discussed upfront, including no-win-no-fee options for eligible cases.
Can you handle cases outside Burnley?
We serve clients across East Lancashire with offices in Burnley, Colne, and Whalley, offering virtual consultations for remote clients.
What makes your firm different?
Our combination of 95+ years' local experience, specialist solicitors, and client-first approach delivers practical legal solutions with personal care.
Reviews (6)
Debby Lewis
Dec 22, 2021 Report
Spoke to a solicitor. Very rude on the phone, abrupt and sarcastic. Only interested in your money. 255 an hour! No thank you, rather spend that on somebody with better customer service skills.
Margaret Eastwood
Dec 22, 2021 Report
Positive:Professionalism,Quality
We recently used DRN to process new wills and Power of attorney. The solicitor was very helpful and answered all our questions so we fully understand exactly what we were doing. We could not have had a better experience. Thank you for making this difficult process so easy for us.
Steve Walker
Nov 03, 2021 Report
Positive:Professionalism,Quality,Value
I have recently used DRN for probate applications and conveyancing. They have at all times been professional in their approach and have provided excellent information and advice. I can recommend their services.
Paul Bastow
Nov 01, 2021 Report
Positive:Professionalism,Responsiveness
Efficient and professional service, always kept up to date with developments.
Tracey Hobbs
Oct 23, 2021 Report
Positive:Professionalism,Quality,Responsiveness,Value
Friendly attitude, professional, approachable and explained things simply and clearly.
Richard Matthews
Sep 24, 2021 Report
Very expensive notary service. Quoted me 240 for a simple witness signatory. Paid 120 at another well rated notary!