A TOP Hampshire law firm with a history stretching back more than 200 years is to merge with a Surrey business.

Moore Blatch, rated among the UK’s top 100 law firms, will be known as Moore Barlow after its merger with Guildford-based Barlow Robbins.

The merger was approved unanimously by both firms’ partners and the companies will begin trading under the new name from May 1.

The merged business will consist of 70 partners, 272 lawyers and legal professionals and a total staff of nearly 500 across six offices. The combined turnover will be almost £40million.

Ed Whittington, managing partner of Moore Blatch, said: “There is a unique opportunity to bring together the absolute best of our two organisations – both outstanding firms with deep regional roots, strong areas of specialism, and dedicated teams of exceptional talent.

“By combining our respective and highly complementary areas of expertise within a culture of excellence and support, we will be one of very few firms with the breadth, depth and resources to meet all the needs of our core client groups. Moving forward with a clear vision and building on a shared set of values, Moore Barlow is poised to become a national leader in our chosen fields.”

Moore Blatch can trace its history to 1797 and changed names many times before becoming Moore & Blatch with the arrival of Cecil Blatch in 1931.

It has been in its current office in Lymington High Street since 1952 and today has offices at Tollgate in Chandlers Ford, the City of London and Richmond.

The firms say Moore Barlow will be focused on meeting the needs of private individuals and families, owners and managers of “fast-moving organisations” and people whose lives have been affected by serious accidents or negligence.

It will boast one of the largest teams of legal advisers in areas such as private client, clinical negligence and residential property.

The merged firm will have offices in Guildford and Woking, with two bases in London, as its two Hampshire sites. It will be the sole UK adviser in Ecovis, an international network of more than 7,500 lawyers, accountants and consultants.

Helen Goatley, chairman of Barlow Robbins, said: “We feel strongly that the focus on people which lies at the heart of Moore Barlow will truly set us apart in the marketplace.”

CONTACT ME

t: 01202 411297

e: darren.slade@dailyecho.co.uk