Law firms aim at amicable splits in demerger plans

BREAK-UPS: Whittles and Fishburn Morgan Cole to separate

Two law firms announced demergers this week, with trade union firm Whittles set to divide into defendant and claimant practices, while Fishburn Morgan Cole is separating from Morgan Cole.

A spokeswoman for 18-partner firm Whittles - which has offices in Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham and Newcastle - said: 'It is envisaged that the claimant firm will continue to operate from our four offices, and that the defendant practice will depart.'

The spokeswoman said negotiations were in process 'to achieve a division on amicable terms'.

M4 firm Morgan Cole has demerged its City-based professional negligence firm Fishburn Morgan Cole.

The two firms merged in 1999; now the ten-partner City practice will take the name Fishburns.

John Cole, chairman of Morgan Cole, said: 'The negotiations have been entirely amicable and we will continue to work closely with each other, including the provision of IT support.'

John Cayton, senior partner of Fishburns, said: 'We have the highest regard for the partners of Morgan Cole and will continue to refer work as opportunities arise.'

A statement said that expected synergies from the merger had not materialised; nor had the benefit the then Fishburn Boxer thought it would receive from the established infrastructure of the larger Morgan Cole.

Morgan Cole will provide administrative support to Fishburns that will enable it to function in its early days, while some Morgan Cole trainees will spend a period of their training at Fishburns.

Jeremy Fleming