Austin leaves stricken Halliwells to join Heatons

HALLIWELLS’ executive chairman Ian Austin is to leave the firm to become head of commercial litigation at Manchester-based law firm Heatons.

Mr Austin, who was at Halliwells for 24 years before being made executive chairman last year, has been described as a “significant appointment” by Heatons’ managing partner, Matt Fleetwood.

“Ian is a first rate litigator with a strong client following and vast experience.  He is ideally placed to head our commercial litigation team and to help with the strategic development of the firm.”

Commenting on his decision to join Heatons, Austin said: “Having now returned to a full time fee earning role, I am looking forward to strengthening Heatons’ commercial litigation practice. This is a new challenge and I can’t wait to get started.”

Earlier this month, Halliwells filed a court document announcing its intention to appoint administrators.

The firm is in the midst of a restructuring which is understood to involve a break-up of the practice, with the Liverpool office being snapped up by Hill Dickinson, Barlow Lyde & Gilbert acquiring the firm’s insurance arm and HBJ Gately Wareing taking charge of the rump of the Manchester practice.

Sources within the sector say that Hill Dickinson is expected to pay £1.5m for the Liverpool office, Barlow Lyde & Gilbert will pay £5m for the insurance practice and HBJ Gately Wareing  will pay more than £2.5m for the remainder of the Manchester office.

This would allow the firm’s bankers, RBS, to recoup around £9m of the £20m it is owed by way of a debenture over the firm’s assets.

A deal is expected to be ironed out later this week.