Personal injury firm Carpenters is in talks to buy the entire whiplash book of national practice Slater and Gordon, the Gazette can reveal.

The acquisition would involve the transfer of ongoing claims in the Official Injury Claim portal as well as the Slater and Gordon staff handling them.

The portal's opening in May 2021 has resulted in a diminishing number of personal injury firms handling whiplash claims valued at less than £5,000. Costs for these claims can no longer be recovered, and it is expected that just a small number of firms will still do this work in future, collecting revenue from deductions from clients’ set-level damages.

Slater and Gordon announced last year that it was splitting its business into two legal departments: ‘essential’  and ‘specialist’ legal services. Much of the work in progress from the 'essential' branch of the firm would be transferred out if talks with Merseyside firm Carpenters are successful.

In a statement, Carpenters Group today confirmed it had entered exclusive negotiations in relation to Slater and Gordon’s portal customers.

The statement continued: ‘The proposed transfer reflects the strategic direction of both businesses. Carpenters remains committed to servicing insurers and their customers across the entire spectrum of motor injury claims. S&G’s intention is to continue to develop other areas of its existing business. The proposed transfer also reflects the on-going evolution of the claimant motor market following the significant challenges presented by the whiplash reforms and the OICP.

‘The focus of both Carpenters and Slater & Gordon is on ensuring that there is no customer detriment as a result of the proposed transfer, and that the S&G colleagues - who continue to support these customers - can be seamlessly welcomed into the Carpenters team.’

Both firms said they will make no further comment until discussions are concluded.