Weightmans concludes acquisition of Vizards Wyeth

LAW firm Weightmans, which has a major office in Birmingham, has acquired the insurance division of Vizards Wyeth in an undisclosed deal.

The deal, effective from April 1, could be the first stage of a two-pronged expansion strategy.

The Vizards Wyeth deal will see around 25 lawyers – including 13 partners, join Weightmans as the division is integrated into the firm.

The deal has been in the pipeline for some time and Weightmans managing partner Patrick Gaul said he was pleased to see it concluded.

“There is a good cultural fit between the two firms and we share a lot of common ground,” he said.

“Vizards Wyeth has a strong insurance litigation practice, great clients and excellent people, and we will consolidate our position in the South East with this acquisition.”

Brian Williams, partner of Vizards Wyeth said: “We are delighted to agree terms with Weightmans and become part of an outstanding national practice.”

Weightmans, which also has offices in Liverpool and Manchester, is keen to continue its expansion and it is known to be in talks with North West firm Mace and Jones about a possible merger.

In its statement announcing the Vizards Wyeth deal, the firm said it was “hopeful that terms will be agreed in the coming weeks”.

Vizards Wyeth’s insurance division, which is based in Kent, acts for a number of major composite insurers, self insureds, Lloyd’s syndicates and brokers. Clients are spread across the public and private sectors and include local authorities and government departments together with businesses ranging in size up to multi-national level.

Sectors include motor, employers liability, public liability, product liability, professional indemnity, directors and officers liabilities, civil and criminal fraud, industrial disease, education, travel and tourism, policy drafting and interpretation, construction and engineering and energy.