HBJ Gateley Wareing set to swoop for Halliwells

TROUBLED law firm Halliwells has been given until July 20 to conclude a deal with three other firms – including Birmingham-based HBJ Gateley Wareing – for the transfer of its business.

The debt-laden firm – which applied for a notice to appoint an administrator last month – looks set to be swallowed-up by HBJ, Barlow Lyde & Gilbert and Hill Dickinson.

Hill Dickinson is expected to take Halliwells’ Liverpool practice – including the firm’s managing partner Jonathan Brown. Barlow Lyde & Gilbert – which opened a Manchester office last year – is set to take the Halliwells’ 150-person strong insurance team.

HBJ Gateley Wareing, headed in Birmingham by joint senior partner Mike Ward, is the only suitor not to have any North West presence. It is understood to be working on a deal to take the corporate, commercial property, commercial litigation and corporate recovery teams.

HBJ said today it had no comment on the situation, however, reports in the legal press suggest the firm could take Halliwells’ office at Hardman Square, in the Spinningfields area of Manchester.

A statement from Halliwells said the firm continued to make good progress with its discussions for the transfer of the business to a number of other highly-regarded law firms.

“In light of this, Halliwells has been advised to file a second notice of intention to appoint an administrator, which will allow until July 20 to conclude the deals,” it said.

Halliwells – which owes Royal Bank of Scotland around £17m – is being advised by business advisers BDO’s restructuring team.