Aberdein expands over the border with Newcastle deal

Expanding Scottish legal firm Aberdein Considine has announced its first move into England & Wales with the acquisition of Wallers Solicitors in Newcastle.

The Aberdeen headquartered practice, which has already established branches across much of Scotland, most recently acquiring Glasgow firm A&S Ireland earlier this year, said it made the move to help meet the growing need for lawyers who can act across multiple UK jurisdictions.

It gives Aberdein Considine its first foothold in the substantial English & Welsh legal markets and enables the immediate expansion of its corporate conveyancing, litigation, and debt and asset recovery services.

The combined business, which will trade under the Aberdein Considine brand, employs 380 staff and will have a total turnover of more than £22m.

At the same time the firm has appointed former HL Interactive chief executive Matt Wightman, an experienced debt and asset recovery specialist, as a partner to lead its new English & Welsh operation.

Rob Aberdein, UK partner in charge of lender services, said the deal allowed the firm to offer clients the convenience and security of using one firm across all of mainland Britain.

“We already act for some of the UK's biggest lenders and this deal brings our customer, compliance and regulatory-focused debt & asset recovery and conveyancing services into the English and Welsh legal markets for the first time,” he explained.

“Wallers, which was previously part of Hay & Kilner, has a track record of providing a great service to its loyal clients. The same dedicated staff will continue to offer that same great service under the banner of Aberdein Considine.”