MERGER DISUNION: Ricksons sets its sight on becoming one of the top 100 UK law firms

Manchester firm Elliotts has abandoned its proposed merger with Mace & Jones at the last minute and instead jumped into bed with northern firm Ricksons.

Five partners, seven fee-earners and 30 support staff from Elliotts will join the Manchester office of Ricksons, and will trade under that name.

Ricksons already has 20 partners and around 170 staff in offices in Preston, Manchester, Leeds and Birmingham.

Ricksons' managing partner, Anthony Hughes, said the merger was a major step in the firm's five-year expansion plan, which it intends to have culminate in it becoming one of the UK's top 100 law firms.

The move would especially boost Ricksons' licensing connections in the leisure sector, he added.

Elliotts' senior partner, Katharine Mellor, said: 'This is an excellent opportunity for us and for our commercial clients.

We share Ricksons vision to become one of the biggest commercial legal practices outside the City.

The merger with Ricksons will also help us to continue our ethos of a partner-led service.'

A spokesman said the combined turnover of the two firms was projected to be 9.5 million.

In July, Elliotts announced plans to merge with Mace & Jones after its defendant insurance team - made up of five partners and five other staff - joined Weightman Vizards (see [2003] Gazette, 10 July, 9).

But this week Mace & Jones senior partner Graeme Jump explained: 'After extensive and very amicable discussions, it became clear that final terms could not be agreed.

It is a fact of corporate life that deals can come unstuck at a late stage.' He wished Elliotts and Ricksons well in the future.

Meanwhile, south-west firm Wards and Alletsons of Weston-super-Mare have announced a merger.

Alletsons partner Rebecca Parkman will join Wards, with senior partner Ian Jerram joining as a consultant, along with six staff.

Wards has 12 partners and some 100 staff with eight offices in the region.

The firm will remain Wards, but it will retain the name Alletsons in Weston-super-Mare to capitalise on its local profile.

And Edgbaston-based conveyancing, commercial and probate firm Highways has been absorbed by Birmingham firm Shakespeares.

Highways' two partners will be taken on as consultants and eight other staff will also transfer.

Shakespeares has 19 partners, 80 fee-earners and a staff of around 170.

Highways will relocate to its offices in Birmingham, a move that coincides with the lease running out on its Edgbaston office.

Chris Baker