Slater & Gordon swoops for another UK firm

AUSTRALIAN law firm Slater & Gordon has announced plans to acquire industrial disease law firm John Pickering and Partners, one of the largest asbestos and industrial disease specialist claimant law firms in the UK.

John Pickering and Partners has offices in Sheffield, Halifax, Manchester and Liverpool.

This is the latest update on the firm’s UK growth strategy and the announcement will see Slater & Gordon expand its occupational disease practice to become one of the largest in the country.

The acquisition is due to be completed by the end of November.

Slater & Gordon head of UK, Neil Kinsella, said the acquisition of John Pickering and Partners would see its operations in the UK grow by approximately 27 staff. 

He said: “We believe John Pickering and Partners is an ideal partner to advance our plans for strategic growth and to boost our presence in the UK. Both firms are focused on delivering high quality, affordable legal services to everyday people and this is an exciting time for Slater & Gordon as we move towards being able to bring our legal services and expertise to more people.

“The expansion of our personal injury team will see the addition of a team with an excellent reputation as experienced defenders of the rights of asbestos disease sufferers for compensation. Together we have more than 30 years of experience helping the victims of asbestos related diseases and with more people being expected to be diagnosed than ever before over the next few years, we will be in the best possible position to help the victims of this terrible disease and their families.

“The planned acquisition will help cement Slater & Gordon’s ambition to be one of the UK’s leading consumer law firms and it is a big part of a continued growth strategy.”

Paul Glanville, managing partner of John Pickering and Partners,  added: “We are delighted to confirm that we have agreed to join Slater & Gordon and form one of the largest claimant chest and asbestos diseases departments nationally.

“Our organisations have much in common, both having forged reputations in fighting for justice for asbestos victims. At a time when Government reforms and the insurance industry are putting greater pressure on asbestos disease victims, we feel that by combining our strengths, we will be able to ensure that we offer the best representation for our clients.”

Today’s news follows the completion of three acquisitions in the last three months of Fentons Solicitors, which has offices in Manchester, Failsworth and London, for £32.5m, Taylors Vinters (personal Injury practice) and Liverpool-based Goodmans Law.

Slater & Gordon entered the UK market last year with the acquisition of Russell Jones & Walker, the London-based personal injury and employment law specialist, for £53.8m