Growing national firm Fletchers Group has acquired another practice – this time sealing a deal to buy Serious Injury Law (SIL).

The Bolton-based firm will become part of the Fletchers group but will retain its own brand and two existing offices. The terms of the acquisition have not been disclosed.

Integration is likely to be completed by 1 May, with serious injury director Caroline Morris taking overall responsibility for the combined serious injury team. Clinical negligence lawyers with SIL will become part of the wider group team and Kate Edwards, director of private client, will lead the court of protection side of the business.

Fletchers Group, backed by private equity since 2021, has acquired Cycle SOS, Minton Morill, Emsley’s personal injury division and claims provider Blume in the past three years.

‘This is an important deal for us, in that it reinforces our leadership in serious personal injury and underscores our strategy to strengthen the group by acquiring exceptional law practices with excellent reputations,’ said Fletchers chief executive Peter Haden.

The 35-year-old SIL is led by equity partners Tim Walters, Matt Dixon and Ben Priestley. According to its annual report for the year ended 30 September 2023, the firm had net assets of £834,000, including £172,000 cash reserves. It employs 40 people at sites in Bolton and Cambridge.

Peter Haden

Fletchers chief executive Peter Haden

Walters said that combining with Fletchers will give staff more development opportunities and help to strengthen the business in a legal sector that is shrinking in terms of number of firms.

‘Consolidation in the serious injury market is gathering pace thanks to a wave of reform and subsequent changes to business models which reflect the emerging market landscape,’ he added. ‘It quickly became clear during our discussions with Peter and the team that combining our team with Fletchers represented the best possible future for our brilliant lawyers, support staff and our clients.’

Fletchers Group, which started out as a niche firm operating from one office in Southport now employs 800 people after growing rapidly following the investment from Sun European Partners LLP.