Two highly-regarded law firms in Hampshire have joined forces to create a full-service offering for individuals and businesses across the South.
Commercial specialist Graeme Quar & Co officially comes under the Biscoes Law banner from April 4th, with a combined staff of 100, including 28 fee-earners.
The strategic merger will see five staff at Graeme Quar & Co relocate from an office at Furzehall Farm, Wickham Road, Fareham, to Biscoes Law’s main office at Kingston Place, Kingston Crescent, Portsmouth.
Biscoes Law, which traces its roots back 162 years and is led by managing director Alison Lee, has five other offices in Gosport, Portchester, Wickham, Waterlooville and Petersfield.
Graeme Quar & Co was founded by managing director Graeme Quar 22 years ago, with a team of solicitors working exclusively in commercial law.
Its area of legal expertise includes property transactions, company law, buying and selling businesses, employment law, business disputes, planning law, corporate taxation and insolvency.
Biscoes Law’s services include personal injury, family, accident claims, immigration, military law, wills, trust, probate, mediation and debt recovery.
Alison said: “Biscoes Law and Graeme Quar & Co have joined forces, under the long-established Biscoes Law name, to create a full-service offering which will provide our clients with incomparable legal advice in a competitive market.
“Graeme and his colleagues, who work tirelessly for small to medium-sized businesses across a wide range of sectors in the South, are highly regarded and bring commercial law firepower to us here at Biscoes Law.
“By the same token, Graeme will be able to point clients in our direction for the services we excel in. Both firms are financially strong and we look forward to a great future.”
Graeme said: “The merger makes for a strong strategic fit, with complementary skill sets, services and geographical reach, underpinned by exemplary customer service.
“My colleagues and I are excited about the next chapter, being part of a forward-looking legal practice which is ambitious to grow through excellence, innovation and the delivery of real-life solutions for real-life issues.”
Biscoes Law is a member of a number of professional associations, including the Law Society, Hampshire Law Society, Notary Services, the Charity Law Association, Portsmouth Property Association and Hampshire Chamber of Commerce.
The practice is also part of LawNet, the UK and Ireland’s leading network of independent law firms promoting excellence and providing a range of benefits for members.
Furthermore, Biscoes Law has the Law Society’s legal practice quality mark Lexcel, for excellence in legal practice management and client care, and is accredited with the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme.
The firm is also working towards ISO 9001 accreditation in November for its quality management systems.
Biscoes Law is among 900 or so practising notaries in England and Wales – duties include authenticating legal documents for use abroad, including for people intending to marry or work overseas.
The firm has led on a number of mergers over recent years as part of its ‘your local lawyers’ ethos.
Financial merger details were not disclosed.