Four partners have set up an incorporated law firm with an anticipated annual turnover of £1.5 million following a management buyout of part of the property arm of Yeovil law firm Battens last week.

Niche practice BPL will specialise in acting for mortgage lenders, financial intermediaries and estate agents.


The firm was founded by former Battens partners Chris May, who becomes director of operations, and legal director David Bridge. Angela Thompson, former partner at south-west firm Clarke Willmott, takes the role of director of marketing while Mark Stimson from Bond Pearce will head a new private client division.


Mr May said: 'The limited company structure is not open to most firms [because of tax complications] but we are brand new and so there are no hangovers from the old partnership.'


Battens will hold a small equity stake in BPL as part of the deal.


The new firm has 11 solicitors spread across offices in Yeovil, Dorchester and Newcastle. It acts for six national mortgage lenders.