Family affair: our search for the firm with the longest line of lawyers from the same family has taken yet another twist. Until now, it was thought that the Backhouse twins at Backhouse Jones in Lancashire were the winners with seven generations.


Jane Gibson of Newcastle and Hexham firm Gibson & Co has, however, been in touch to stake a claim. The firm was established in or around 1715 - the date of the earliest deed with the family name on that has so far been found. Toby Gibson, Jane's husband, is the tenth generation to work in the practice. His father, Tony, and uncle, Derwent, are senior partner of the firm and head of the Hexham office respectively.



Pretty conclusive, it would seem. Indeed, Jane also puts in a bid for the crown of the firm with the most family members (four) actively practising in it - first claimed by the three Wershof brothers at east London firm Wiseman Lee. If you can do better, email gazette-editorial@lawsociety.org.uk.