Three firms have been created following a wholesale restructuring at south-east law firm Pictons.

The St Albans office has been sold to the partners based there and relaunched as a specialist commercial outfit called SA Law. All 70 staff at the office transferred to the new seven-partner practice, except litigation partner Alec Brall who has moved to another branch of Pictons.


Stephen Ryan, managing partner of SA Law, said: 'We wanted to focus primarily on the commercial side, while Pictons was looking more at private client work.


'We have ambitions to expand the practice both through organic growth and bolt-ons. We want to be perceived as a regional commercial specialist.'


Pictons' Bedford criminal law practice has been sold to its partners and will trade from the same premises as First Defence.


Its Luton crime practice will also be sold to its partners and from 1 July will trade under the name Healey Colbon from new premises.


The rump practice of Pictons will continue to provide a full range of legal services from its offices based in Hemel Hempstead, Milton Keynes and Luton.