National firm Silverbeck Rymer has announced plans to more than double its size over the next year.

The personal injury firm, bought by listed brand extension company Quindell Portfolio for £19.3m in January, will recruit 300 people to add to its current staff of 250. Around 250 of the new recruits will be fee-earners, with the vast majority paralegals.

The acquisition by Quindell Portfolio, which provides legal consultancy, outsourcing and software, is still awaiting approval from the Solicitors Regulation Authority and Financial Services Authority.

Once that is finalised, the law firm will become part of Quindell Legal Services but continue to trade as Silverbeck Rymer. Based in Liverpool and Chelmsford, Silverbeck Rymer dates back more than 60 years.

It was bought for £10.25m in cash and the issue of up to 120.8m Quindell shares. Quindell shares on the AIM stock exchange have risen from 7.62p on the day of purchase to 15.75p yesterday.