Southport law firm Fletchers Group acquires Liverpool city region practice with more than 100 staff. Tony McDonough reports
Personal injury and clinical negligence legal specialist Fletchers Group has agreed a deal to buy Merseyside law firm Scott Rees & Co Solicitors.
Southport-based Fletchers, which last year signalled a clear intention to pursue an aggressive acquisition strategy, will take on the 97 fee earners and support staff from Scott Rees, which is based in Newton-le-Willows.
Scott Rees focuses on employers’ liability, public liability, fatal accident claims and clinical negligence and was founded in 1992. This deal, the value of which is not disclosed, is expected to complete at the end of February 2025.
Its managing partner, Royston Smith, will stay with the firm post announcement to support the business through the transition to Fletchers. Fletchers’ Charlene Mann will then take over the reins and lead the Scott Rees business through the integration period.
The team will continue to operate from the office near Haydock Park Racecourse, and the brand will remain in place for the time being.
Peter Haden, Fletchers Group chief executive, said the acquisition was the latest step in a strategy to scale up its operation which already employs hundreds of people in Southport, Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Bolton and Cambridge.
“Scott Rees is a successful North West law firm built on high standards of client service and professionalism, making it a great fit with Fletchers,” said Peter.
“We are wholly committed to long-term growth in the personal injury sector, where Scott Rees is already well-established, and we warmly welcome our new colleagues into the Group to strengthen our legal practice and build on their success.”
This acquisition is the second in a year for Fletchers, following the deal to buy Serious Injury Law in February 2024.
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In November LBN revealed that a big rise in personal injury revenues has helped Fletchers quadruple its pre-tax profits and it is now on track to hit £100m revenues in its current fiscal year.
In the 12 months to April 30, Fletchers Group generated revenues of £58m, 36% up the previous year. Pre-tax profits totalled £8.26m, around four times higher than last year.
It was founded in 1987 and in 2021 was acquired by an affiliate of private equity outfit Sun European Partners in 2021. In June 2024 the firm agreed a new re-financing deal with European asset manager Pemberton which is backed by Legal & General.