Law firms to acquire in the UK

Name: Law firms to acquire in the UK
Creator: Firmbase
License: https://firmbase.co/terms

Updated 9 November 2026

Looking to acquire a law firm in the UK? Firmbase ranks 2,207 law firms using public company information to help buyers prioritise firms for research and potential outreach. The Approach Score ranks firms using public signals including director age and tenure, ownership, business scale, financial strength and recent changes. These firms are not listed for sale, and the ranking does not indicate that an owner is considering a sale.

The median firm has 10 staff and has been in business for 12 years.

Solicitors can charge fixed fees or hourly rates, with the work covered and the payment terms set out for the client. In acquiring a law firm, separate fees already billed from unfinished matters and examine what clients have agreed to pay for each instruction. Review each practice area's written terms for calculating and billing costs, including how the firm keeps clients informed as work progresses.

Grow a legal group under clear supervision

Matter oversight is the first thing to test in any law firm you plan to add. Firmbase covers 2,207 UK limited-company and LLP law firms with five or more staff. Use the list to identify businesses whose work matches your legal services plan, then examine how their current matters and client relationships are managed.

Public ownership information can distinguish independent firms from those already owned by a group that has bought several law firms. For legal practices here, 43% have one person holding 75% or more. Company records say nothing about whether any particular owner would consider a conversation.

AI may assist with document review and routine drafting, yet professional duties, supervision and confidentiality still shape delivery. Compare practice areas, the balance of ongoing and completed matters, and the staff responsible for them. Build a regional pipeline from firms that fit those criteria, and use the facts behind each Approach Score to order outreach.

A proposed combination also needs a clear account of client money, open matters and the ownership structure that would follow. The list is a sourcing tool, not a list of businesses for sale. Qualify each firm directly and check its regulatory status on the relevant register, including any approval needed for the proposed owners.

2,207

Firms

14%

Every director 55+

43%

Held 75%+ by one person

Median years in business

Median headcount

£500k to £1m

Median turnover band

includes our estimates

Key facts

The SRA Solicitors Register lets readers check solicitors and law firms regulated by the SRA. SRA

The SRA says an ownership interest in a licensed body generally needs approval before the person becomes an owner. SRA

The SRA register also identifies firms the regulator has closed and people it has prohibited from practising. SRA

The first 25 firms, in Approach Score order

Rank	Firm	Approach Score	The facts behind the score
1	Dominic Mills & Co. Bedford	Approach Score 92/100	In post since 2012 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 6 staff · turnover est. £696k Net assets £529k (Sep 2025) Director resigned Mar 2026 Company no. 08194547 · Companies House dmillsandco.com
2	Carr Richards Solicitors Hemel Hempstead, Herts	Approach Score 92/100	Longest in post since 2013 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 6 staff · turnover est. £496k Net assets £318k (May 2026) Director resigned Jun 2025 Company no. 08489627 · Companies House carr-richards.co.uk
3	Crocketts Leeds, Yorkshire	Approach Score 92/100	In post since 2008 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 11 staff · turnover est. £773k Net assets £530k (Sep 2025) Charge satisfied Jun 2026 Company no. 06706276 · Companies House crocketsolicitors.co.uk
4	Lariggan Bramhall, Cheshire	Approach Score 91/100	2 directors aged 70 or over · longest in post since 2013 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 7 staff · turnover est. £300k Net assets £83k (Dec 2025) Director resigned Nov 2025 · charge satisfied Nov 2025 Company no. 08751373 · Companies House cbl.law
5	Britton & (solicitors) Weston-Super-Mare, North Somerset	Approach Score 89/100	In post since 2007 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 6 staff · turnover est. £316k Net assets £96k (Dec 2025) Company no. 06431877 · Companies House brittonandco.co.uk
6	Taylor Hampton London	Approach Score 89/100	In post since 2011 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 13 staff · turnover est. £3.5m Net assets £5.4m (Apr 2025) Company no. 07506474 · Companies House taylorhampton.co.uk
7	Thomas Lindsey Brown Southend-on-SEA, Essex A director sits on 4 or more companies	Approach Score 87/100	In post since 2015 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 7 staff · turnover est. £251k Net assets £123k (Jun 2025) Company no. 09707808 · Companies House tlb-law.co.uk
8	Nandy & Co. Solicitors Forest Gate, London	Approach Score 87/100	Director aged 70 or over · in post since 2012 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 7 staff · turnover est. £426k Net assets £80k (Feb 2025) Company no. 07943870 · Companies House nandyandco.co.uk
9	Earl & Crocker Solicitors Liskeard, Cornwall	Approach Score 87/100	Longest in post since 2012 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 20 staff · turnover est. £353k Net assets £135k (Mar 2025) Company no. 08100665 · Companies House earlandcrocker.co.uk
10	K Boswell Washington, Tyne and Wear	Approach Score 87/100	Longest in post since 2014 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 7 staff · turnover est. £649k Net assets £332k (Mar 2025) Company no. 08966264 · Companies House kboswell.co.uk
11	PCD Solicitors Warrington, Cheshire	Approach Score 86/100	Director aged 60-64 · in post since 2020 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 12 staff · turnover est. £3.6m Net assets £3.1m (Oct 2025) Director resigned Sep 2026 · PSC register changed Sep 2026 Company no. 12594815 · Companies House pcdsolicitors.co.uk
12	Mcmahon Hearty Mckee Solicitors Craigavon, County Armagh	Approach Score 86/100	Longest in post since 2011 2 individuals hold 75%+ · independent More about this firm 8 staff · turnover est. £1.2m Net assets £21k (May 2025) Company no. NI607417 · Companies House mcmahonsolicitors.com
13	Rodman Pearce Solicitors Luton, Bedfordshire	Approach Score 86/100	Director aged 60-64 · in post since 2008 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 13 staff · turnover est. £912k Net assets £559k (Sep 2025) Company no. 06626852 · Companies House rodmanpearce.com
14	Pender LAW Truro, Cornwall	Approach Score 86/100	In post since 2011 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 24 staff · turnover est. £1.5m Net assets £2.4m (Feb 2026) Company no. 07734784 · Companies House penderlaw.co.uk
15	Fergusons Solicitors Enniskillen, CO. Fermanagh	Approach Score 85/100	In post since 2018 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 11 staff · turnover est. £1.6m Net assets £65k (Jun 2025) Company no. NI653830 · Companies House fergusons-solicitors.co.uk
16	Powell Davies Aberystwyth, Ceredigion	Approach Score 85/100	Longest in post since 2004 2 individuals hold 50%+ · independent More about this firm 6 staff · turnover est. £356k Net assets £379k (Nov 2025) Company no. 05288033 · Companies House powelldavies.co.uk
17	Watson and Neill Lurgan, Armagh	Approach Score 85/100	Longest in post since 2015 2 individuals hold 75%+ · independent More about this firm 7 staff · turnover est. £389k Net assets £495k (Mar 2025) Charge satisfied Sep 2026 Company no. NI628579 · Companies House watsonandneill.com
18	Fenton Elliott Newbury, Berkshire	Approach Score 85/100	In post since 2018 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 10 staff · turnover est. £791k Net assets £333k (Dec 2025) Company no. 11152664 · Companies House fentonelliott.co.uk
19	NTC Services Chelmsford, Essex A director sits on 4 or more companies	Approach Score 85/100	1 director aged 70 or over, 1 aged 65-69, 1 aged 60-64 · longest in post since 1997 2 individuals hold 50%+ · independent More about this firm 8 staff · turnover est. £254k Net assets £125k (Dec 2025) Company no. 03411187 · Companies House aeonsure.co.uk
20	Glynns Solicitors Bristol	Approach Score 84/100	In post since 2012 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 14 staff · turnover est. £4.2m Net assets £4.4m (Apr 2025) Company no. 07916362 · Companies House glynns.co.uk
21	Montague Solicitors London	Approach Score 84/100	Director aged 60-64 · in post since 2013 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 5 staff · turnover est. £537k Net assets £405k (Feb 2025) Company no. 08391318 · Companies House montaguesolicitors.co.uk
22	Dale and Solicitors Lincoln	Approach Score 84/100	Longest in post since 2008 1 individual holds 75%+ · held via a trust or firm · independent More about this firm 12 staff · turnover est. £1.3m Net assets £1m (Oct 2025) Company no. 06676941 · Companies House dale-law.co.uk
23	N D & P Solicitors Birmingham	Approach Score 84/100	1 director aged 60-64, 1 aged 55-59 · longest in post since 2012 2 individuals hold 75%+ · independent More about this firm 11 staff · turnover est. £2.2m Net assets £1.5m (Dec 2025) Company no. 08125420 · Companies House ndandp.co.uk
24	Moss Haselhurst Northwich, Cheshire	Approach Score 84/100	1 director aged 70 or over, 2 aged 50-54, 1 aged 45-49 · longest in post since 2012 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 24 staff · turnover est. £944k Net assets £505k (Mar 2026) Charge satisfied Apr 2026 Company no. 07939100 · Companies House mosshaselhurst.co.uk
25	Johnson Legal Edinburgh Edinburgh	Approach Score 84/100	In post since 2011 Independent More about this firm 11 staff · turnover est. £1.3m Net assets £1m (Dec 2025) Director resigned Apr 2026 · PSC register changed Apr 2026 Company no. SC411801 · Companies House johnsonlegaledinburgh.co.uk

2,182 more firms are in the list, in Approach Score order.

You're seeing the first 25. Buy all 2,207 for £2,006 + VAT, with the facts behind each score, director names, shareholders and financials.

Buy the list of all 2,207 firms, with director names, ages and shareholders

Each row comes with the facts behind its score, financials with dates and contact details.

What's in the file

One row per firm, in Approach Score order, as Excel + CSV.

The score and the firm

Approach Score

The facts behind the score

Points for each part of the score

Financials with dates

Website

Publicly available contact details, where identified

Directors and shareholders

Director names

Director birth month and year

Director appointment dates

Named shareholders with more than 25%, with ownership bands

Some people with significant control appear as Other individual, with no further detail. Director email lookups are not included.

Frequently asked questions

How can I approach the owner of a legal practice?

Identify yourself when you first contact a law firm owner, and say which practice areas interest you. Explain that you obtained their details from the public Companies House register through Firmbase. Make clear how they can object to your use of their data; if they do, stop contacting them. Before calling, screen the number against both the Telephone Preference Service and the Corporate Telephone Preference Service. Keep the enquiry separate from any assumption about client matters or the owner's plans.

What regulatory checks matter when buying a law firm?

Check the firm and its practising solicitors on the SRA Solicitors Register where that regulator applies. Establish which regulator covers any offices elsewhere in the UK. Review the proposed ownership structure early: the SRA says ownership interests in licensed bodies generally need approval before acquisition. Regulatory status is only one part of diligence. Examine open matters, client money arrangements, confidentiality and the terms on which clients instructed the firm.

SRA · SRA

How does the Approach Score help with law firms?

Use the score to order your research into ownership, size and financial strength. It does not assess the quality of legal work or reveal an owner's intentions. The methodology page explains how public signals contribute to the ranking. Compare those signals with the practice areas you understand, then review professional regulation, client matters and the staff needed to continue the work before deciding whether to make contact.

What needs review when ownership of a law firm changes?

Examine the legal entity, the proposed owners, open client matters and the arrangements for client money. A firm's regulatory status should be confirmed on the relevant register, while proposed ownership may require separate approval. The SRA says a person seeking an ownership interest in a licensed body should generally apply before acquiring it. The treatment of client instructions and confidentiality needs careful review alongside regulatory questions.

SRA · SRA

How this list is filtered

Active on Companies House. Companies in liquidation, administration, receivership or a voluntary arrangement, or with a proposal to strike off, are left out.
Dormant companies are left out.
Firms whose owners asked to be removed are left out.
Private limited companies, public limited companies, LLPs and private unlimited companies only. Sole traders and partnerships are not covered.
Firmbase industry tag: Legal Services.
SIC code 69102.
5 or more staff, from filed headcount or our estimate where none is filed.
Registered office in the UK.

How this list is built

The Approach Score ranks firms mainly on public Companies House information about owner tenure and age, ownership, size, financial strength and recent register changes.

Firms with higher scores appear first in each list.

Use the ranking to order research, then check each business directly.

Read how the Approach Score works

What it does not mean

No firm here is for sale, and the score says nothing about any owner's plans.

At least 95% of the firms where we hold directors had them checked in or after November 2026.

What we do not cover

We cover limited companies, LLPs and private unlimited companies. Sole traders and ordinary partnerships are not on Companies House, so they are not here. Regulatory information is not included in this list. Buyers should check the relevant register as part of their due diligence. Check the SRA Solicitors Register in England and Wales; Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate Law Society directories. Confirm status and ownership requirements with the relevant regulator.

Why age bands but no people's names

Age bands come from the month and year of birth on Companies House. This page shows no exact ages and no people's names. Both come with the purchased list. The band edges from 45 to 65 are the ages where the score changes. A row shows no age bands when a director's surname is in the firm's name, its group's name or its website. Those directors' ages still count towards the score.

Is this your firm?

You can ask us to take it off every acquisition page, and out of every list we sell after that. Give us your name and work email, and we send you a link to confirm. If your email address is on the firm's own website domain, the firm comes off once you confirm. If it is not, a person reviews your request first. A list already sold stays with its buyer.

To have personal data erased, see our privacy policy.

Other areas

East Midlands East of England London North East North West Northern Ireland Scotland South East South West Wales West Midlands Yorkshire and The Humber

Related sectors

Accountancy practices Estate agents

The standard Firmbase list

Legal Services Companies in the UK

Buy the list of all 2,207 firms, with director names, ages and shareholders

Each row comes with the facts behind its score, financials with dates and contact details.