Merricks goes north to establish itself as a national firm

Essex firm Merricks has expanded into Manchester in a drive to create a fully national firm.

The Chelmsford-based practice, which became an LLP last December and which also has offices in Birmingham, Ipswich and London, announced that it is looking to open further offices in Leeds, Bristol or Cardiff, and the south coast if plans to 'go national' come to fruition.

The Manchester office will concentrate on employment and personal injury work under the leadership of the firm's national head of personal injury and board member John Webster - currently based in Birmingham - who will be joined by three assistants relocated from the firm's other offices.

He said: 'We plan to grow rapidly.

We want to get away from the image of being an Essex firm and go national.

The move is demand-led, rather than speculative.'

Meanwhile, 17-partner Essex private client and commercial practice Birkett Long is expanding on the ground in Essex.

The Colchester-based firm, which also has an office in Halstead, is opening in Chelmsford with a focus on corporate work.

Jeremy Fleming