Wansbroughs Willey Hargrave and Beachcroft Stanleys have confirmed that their merger is going ahead.
As of May 1 1999, national firm Wansbroughs will unite with City firm Beachcrofts to create the 10th biggest firm of solicitors in the country.
Beachcroft Wansbroughs will have 122 partners, 500 professionals and a total staff of over 1100. It will have offices in Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield and Winchester.
Lord Hunt of Wirral, currently senior partner of Beachcroft Stanleys, will head the new firm. He said: “Client care research showed that clients want a significant London operation combined with a strong regional or local presence and the lower overhead this brings.”
The property practice of the merged firm will be substantial. Beachcrofts already acts for Balfour Beatty, MEPC, Jaeger and Welbeck Estates, and is currently involved in 18 major PFI schemes. Wansbroughs is principally known for its insurance work, although it says property “dominates” its Manchester and Birmingham offices.
Beachcroft Wansbroughs expects to handle a substantial volume of development projects, acquisitions and disposals, landlord and tenant and secured lending work.
PLS News 15/12/98
