National firm Irwin Mitchell will take over London-based Thomas Eggar by the end of the year, it has confirmed.

Under the agreement, which will be formally completed in December, all of Thomas Eggar’s 450 employees, including 67 partners, will transfer to Irwin Mitchell. In total the tie-up will have 287 partners.

The new firm will operate under the Irwin Mitchell name from the first half of 2016.

Irwin Mitchell told the Gazette that there would be no job losses as the merger is ‘highly complementary’ and the aim is to grow and generate more business.

The merger is expected to create a £250m legal services business, which the firm says will place it 11th in the UK law firm rankings.

Andrew Tucker (pictured right), chief executive at Irwin Mitchell, said the combination will give the firm the critical mass and competitive edge to become the ‘legal brand of choice’ in its target markets.

He said: ‘This deal will significantly add to the value and diversification of our business and act as a catalyst for further growth… this is the latest step in our strategic expansion plan but we see still further opportunities arising as the market continues to consolidate.’

Thomas Eggar managing partner, Vicky Brackett (pictured, left), said the firms’ approach to client care provides a ‘terrific opportunity’ to offer clients a wider range of services, including sports law and planning.

Irwin Mitchell, largely built on consumer law, has made public its prediction that it will become the ‘legal brand of choice’ after further growth.

It secured £60m in funding from three lenders last year and since 2012 it has acquired six firms, including Mayfair-based wealth services provider Berkeley Law and personal injury specialist MPH Solicitors.