A Newcastle law firm has been acquired as a Scottish legal practice’s first foray into the Engligh market.
Aberdein Considine – which already trades across Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Perth and Stirling – has acquired Wallers Wolicitors, which had been part of Hay & Kilner, to help meet a growing need for lawyers who can act across different UK jurisdictions.
The deal gives Aberdein Considine its first foothold in the English and Welsh legal markets and enables the expansion of its corporate conveyancing, litigation and debt and asset recovery services south of the border.
The combined business, which will now trade under the Aberdein Considine brand, employs 380 staff and will have a total turnover of more than £22m.
Jonathan Waters, managing partner at Hay & Kilner, said: “Clients increasingly require firms to operate both north and south of the Scottish border within lender services.
“The transfer of Wallers to Aberdein Considine therefore seemed to be the best fit for Wallers and for their many long-standing clients. We very much see this as a positive step for all involved in the transfer.”
The deal will see all Wallers’ employees transfer to Aberdein Considine, though it will continue to operate from Merchant House in Newcastle where Hay & Kilner is based.
John Gladders, former chief executive officer of Wallers, said: “The merger with Aberdein Considine allows the former Wallers business to offer a greater range of services including estate agency and financial services. It also provides national coverage to clients. Aberdein Considine is a people firm and, like us, always put their clients at the heart of their service.”
Rob Aberdein, UK partner in charge of lender services at Aberdein Considine, said: “We already act for some of the UK’s biggest lenders and this deal brings our customer, compliance and regulatory-focused debt and asset recovery and conveyancing services into the English and Welsh legal markets for the first time.
“Wallers, which was previously part of Hay & Kilner, has a track record of providing a great service to its loyal clients. The same dedicated staff will continue to offer that same great service under the banner of Aberdein Considine.”
Royal Bank of Scotland has provided finance for the deal.