Yorkshire solicitors acquires rival in rapid purchase

NEIL Hudgell Solicitors has acquired rival legal firm Rapid Solicitors, in a deal which will make the business one of the biggest personal injury firms in the North of England, handling more than 10,000 claims and employing more than 220 people.

An agreement has been reached between the two Hull-based companies which will see Neil Hudgell Solicitors acquire the entire caseload of Rapid, taking on 120 new members of staff and three new offices as a result.

The deal, for an undisclosed sum, is the latest in a string of purchases by the expanding Hull firm following the Jackson reforms, which came into force last year.

The company, established by Neil Hudgell in 1997, has pushed to strengthen its position through offering to buy entire case books from lawyers, accountants and other professionals.

Under the webuyanyfiles.com brand, it has completed 25 deals, acquiring more than 6,000 clients.

Neil Hudgell Solicitors, which has offices in Hull, Leeds, London, Birmingham and Bristol, is on target to achieve damages totalling around £20m for clients this year, up from £8.75m in 2012, and £13m in 2013.

Managing director Neil Hudgell said: “This move further establishes our position as one of the biggest personal injury specialists in the north of England.

“I’m very much looking forward to integrating the new members of staff into our business. We have a track record of successfully taking on large caseloads and ensuring that new teams quickly adapt to our ways of working.

“The experience we have in doing this means all clients can be assured of both a seamless transfer and the very best levels of service, going forward.”

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