City Law Firms Merge

TWO historic York law firms have merged

Ware & Kay and Sykes Lee & Brydson each has more than 200 years of history in York, and will create an enlarged Ware & Kay, employing 66 staff and five partners, at the firm's Peasholme Green premises.

Ware & Kay has taken on 13 additional staff from Sykes Lee & Brydson, which was based in two sites in Acomb and Judges' Court, Coney Street, York, where it has been based since at least 1850.

Peter Kay, senior partner at Ware & Kay, said: "As a larger firm our business clients benefit from a much broader range of expertise, including corporate, commercial and employment teams, an extensive litigation and dispute resolution capability and the addition of niche know-how in fields such as mediation.

"The families and individuals we serve also benefit greatly with the availability of an expanded number of wills and probate solicitors, conveyancing solicitors and a larger number of family lawyers.

"In analysing our collective strengths, objectives and the needs of our clients the merger between Ware & Kay and Sykes Lee & Brydson seemed the most natural step forward. We believe that Sykes Lee & Brydson complements Ware & Kay and together we can offer an exciting and fresh approach to legal services within York, Wetherby and the wider Yorkshire region."

Peter Joslin, senior partner at Sykes Lee & Brydson, added: "The news has given a huge boost to the team, who are delighted to now be part of such a progressive and successful larger practice."

Mr Kay said the merger was the first major cosolidation seen in the York legal market, while a lot of consolidation was happening in other centres. He said the trend for consolidation has driven the reduced need for so many premises and the cost of regulation and compliance affecting firms.

Sykes Lee & Brydson's legal aid department was not part of the deal following a shake-up of the legal aid system and some staff have joined other firms with seven being made redundant.

Article by Julie Hayes (Business editor) from The Press published on 1^st July 2013. Please click here to read this article on The Press website.

Published: July 2013