Abuse victim law firm swallowed by personal injury specialist

A STOCKPORT-based law firm dedicated to advising victims of abuse has been acquired by personal injury specialist Simpson Millar.

The deal to buy Abney Garsden – established in 1985 by Peter Garsden – also includes its family and wills department.

Yorkshire company Simpson Millar is owned by listed professional services provider Fairpoint Group, based in Adlington, Lancashire.

Pannone Corporate advised on the deal. Its team was led by partner Mark Winthorpe and included solicitor Craig Geraghty.

Garsden said: This is a very exciting time for us and with the support of Simpson Millar we can add even more value to our clients and have even further added security for the important work we do, especially abuse cases.
 
“I cannot praise the corporate team at Pannone Corporate highly enough for the outstanding advice and support they gave me throughout one of the most important transactions of my professional life.”

Winthorpe added: “Abney Garsden has built an outstanding reputation in the market and the acquisition by Simpson Millar will enable it to significantly expand and maintain its leading position in a consolidating market.”

Peter Watson from Simpson Millar said: “We knew instantly that Abney Garsden was the right type of firm to join Simpson Millar because of their strong values and social conscience.

“The extended offering we now have in our portfolio means we can give better and wider services to all our clients. Peter has built a strong firm with a positive future and by joining Simpson Millar we can offer a more flexible and secure place to compete effectively in the market place.”

Simspon Millar was advised by Lizzy Tindall and Alistair Cree from Eversheds.