Hull firm Neil Hudgell Solicitors more than doubled its workforce today with the purchase of a neighbouring firm.

The expanding practice has acquired the entire caseload of Rapid Solicitors and taken on 120 new members of staff in three new offices.

A spokesman for Rapid, which has a national client base and specialises in personal injury and clinical negligence claims, said the firm will retain its brand. The sale is believed to be prompted by a change in direction by management rather than any issues concerning the strength of the business.

Neil Hudgell Solicitors will grow to a headcount of more than 220 people handling more than 10,000 claims.

Since the Jackson reforms came into effect in April 2013, the firm has sought to buy caseloads from firms wanting to exit the market.

Using its webuyanyfiles.com brand, it has completed 25 deals to deal, acquiring more than 6,000 clients.

Last year it opened its first London-based office after the transfer of cases from Harris Cartier.

Managing director Neil Hudgell (pictured) said the Rapid move grows the firm to one of the biggest personal injury specialists in the north of England.

‘We have a track record of successfully taking on large caseloads and ensuring that new teams quickly adapt to our ways of working,’ he said.

‘The experience we have in doing this means all clients can be assured of both a seamless transfer and the very best levels of service.’