A NEW three-partner commercial firm has won its first high-profile case the singer Shirley Bassey's successful defence of her assistant Hilary Levy's breach of contract and constructive dismissal action against her.

Edgware based firm Stock Fraser Cukier was formed after Gerard Cukier left London firm Lipkin Gorman to join the two partner practice Stock Fraser & Co, which has moved from Haringey.

Bassey was represented by Gerard Cukier, whose other clients include ex-Glasgow Rangers and Liverpool manager Graeme Souness. At Lipkin Gorman he was a matrimonial specialist and commercial litigator.

Cukier said his move out of London allowed him to cut out two hours of travelling each day. He said he aimed to do the same quality of work, but in far more pleasant surroundings.

He added that advances in technology meant that firms were increasingly able to choose a suburban location without their clients minding as long as they maintained the same quality of work.