LAWYER IN THE NEWS

Who? John Peake, 44-year-old civil litigation partner in five-partner Bristol firm Bobbetts Mackan.Why is he in the news? Represents Lesley Hughes, the mother of the alleged 'shoe bomber' Richard Reid, who was arrested before Christmas on suspicion of trying to blow up a transatlantic flight by setting fire to explosives hidden in his shoes.

Ms Hughes, who is divorced from Mr Reid's father, issued a statement from the steps of Bobbetts Mackan's offices, claiming that other than what she had heard or read in the media she had no knowledge of the charges made against her son, who is currently in custody in Boston in the US awaiting charges.Background: Degree in Economics from Southampton University 1975-78, followed by the CPE and Law Society finals at Guildford College of Law from 1978-80.

He qualified at London firm Robbins Olivey & Blake Lapthorn (now Blake Lapthorn) in 1982, and remained in London until 1984, working for various High Court agencies.

He then moved to the Fareham office of Blake Lapthorn before joining Bobbetts Mackan in 1992.

He became a partner there in 1994.Route to the case: 'Mrs Hughes was referred to us by another Bristol firm, and I took it on as - being the Thursday after Christmas - I was the most senior solicitor in the office.

I also have a substantial amount of media experience, which was vital for the case.'Thoughts on the case: 'At the moment, my role is to help Mrs Hughes to deal with the media attention focused on her, rather than dealing with any legal issues.

In the past, I've represented Fred West in a civil suit he brought against his former solicitor, and I also recently acted for the man involved in a fracas with rugby player Jeremy Guscott, and so I have reasonable experience in dealing with the press.

What is happening to my client is everybody's worst nightmare, and she wants it made clear that she has had no contact with her son in this matter, although I believe that matters are in hand for contact to be established.'Dealing with the media: 'We adopted the same tactic in this case as we did with the West case - issue a statement to the press and then make it clear that no further issues will be discussed and no interviews will be given.

Once this was done, the calls to me from journalists have reduced drastically, and the majority of reporters have been fine about it.' Victoria MacCallum