Knights buys 220-year-old law firm Moore Barlow in second deal this week

What's the deal? Legal and professional services group KnightsDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → has acquired Moore BarlowDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, a 160-strong law firm and one of the South East's largest regional practices. The firm employs specialists across corporate, dispute resolution, real estate, private wealth, and landed estates, along with the education and charities sectors.

The numbers: For the year to April 30, 2025, Moore Barlow reported revenues of £42m and profits distributable to members of £12m. Its history dates back more than 220 years; the firm took its current form in 2020 through the merger of Moore BlatchDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → and Barlow RobbinsDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →.

Why now? The deal is Knights' second acquisition announced this week, following its purchase of THP SolicitorsDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →. Both extend its investment across the South of England.

What's the endgame? David Beech, chief executive of Knights, said Moore Barlow's "established client relationships and specialist expertise" would combine with "the breadth of our national platform." The firm frames the move as part of building "the legal and professional services business of choice across the UK's regions."

What changes? Knights plans to merge Woking and Guildford into a single Guildford location and vacate the City office.

The signal: Knights' back-to-back deals point to accelerating consolidation among UK regional law firms, as scale players absorb long-established independents to expand reach and cross-sell services across specialist practice areas.

Read more: Insider Media

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