Weightmans and Ward Hadaway confirm merger discussions

Law firms Weightmans and Ward Hadaway have confirmed they are holding “informal talks” about a possible merger.

In a joint statement on the merger discussions, the firms said: "The legal market is changing and it is always sensible to look at opportunities that might benefit a business, its clients and its staff so Weightmans and Ward Hadaway are currently talking to each other to see if there are benefits of working closer together.

"We have shared strategic objectives and a significant number of shared clients. Whether or not these discussions will lead to anything permanent is, at the moment, unknown but we are enjoying getting to know each other better, sharing ideas and the discussions will be a benefit to our businesses, our clients and our staff even if nothing permanent comes of the discussion."

Weightmans has more than 1,400 people across offices in Birmingham, Dartford, Glasgow, Knutsford, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool, London and Manchester.

Ward Hadaway meanwhile has more than 450 staff, with over 80 partners, in Newcastle, Leeds and Manchester.