Happenings in Hampshire

Future proofing has safeguarded Phillips

Future proofing has been instrumental in ensuring a

leading Hampshire law firm weathers the Coronavirus storm.

Like many law firms, COVID-19 has meant that Phillips Solicitors incorporating Brain Chase Coles has had to adapt and make more use of technologies like Software as a Service (SaaS) and increased video conferencing platforms such as Microsoft TEAMS, Zoom and FaceTime, to ensure the smooth running of its work.

It has certainly come at an interesting time for the firm as in February, Phillips Solicitors merged with Brain Chase Coles, forming a strong dynamic regional law firm, employing over 80 people.

The merger of the two well established firms has proved to be a great success, allowing Phillips to provide a greater depth and breadth of legal expertise, including: Commercial and Residential Property, Corporate and Commercial, Commercial and Civil Litigation and Dispute Resolution, Notary Public, Family, Wills and Probate, Estate Planning, Employment, Insurance and Education Law.

Fortunately, due to an ongoing policy of future proofing Phillips, the firm is well placed to tackle the unexpected challenges of the Coronavirus lockdown and has remained fully open for business.

Prior to the merger, Phillips had been implementing more agile working, while making significant productivity gains and cost savings. A new cloud-based client database system called LEAP was adopted, which allows the firm to work in a more efficient and increasingly paper-less way.

The firm has also moved to the cloud-based Microsoft Office 365, with Microsoft Exchange email, allowing for much improved business continuity. Integrated alongside this is BigHand Professional digital dictation, another SaaS product that includes dictation, speech recognition and agile workflows. phone system lives on the cloud and works across the internet. It can be accessed via PC, lap-top and mobile phone through an app. It has worked seamlessly, proving to be invaluable while lawyers and staff are working remotely from home.

The IT business change plan was led and driven forward by the firm’s Head of IT, Mike Worth. He said: “Decisions made were based on finding the right products that fit our business goals, with the right partners who could understand and support our requirements, with responsive support and at the right cost.”

Mike Worth

Mike added: “We needed to have straightforward, yet secure access to information wherever our lawyers and staff are working from. These applications work together seamlessly to enable this.”

Phillips Director Max Hope said: “The strategy for the firm going forward is a continuation of our existing strategy: to grow the business over the next three to five years, continuing to drive efficiencies through technology and change, and servicing our clients in the same way as a City based law firm but at regional prices by delivering value back to the client through investment in technology and our staff.” Max Hope

It appears for Phillips the lockdown has resulted in long-term positive changes within the practice, particularly regarding greater use of virtual meetings and building on existing agile ways of working.

Churchers Solicitors joins forces with Isle of Wight based Walter Gray

Churchers merge with Diana Deacon Ltd

Churchers Solicitors, who maintain an office in Ryde,

has confirmed the planned acquisition of fellow Isle of Wight firm, Walter Gray & Co.

Founded in 1888 Churchers Solicitors currently operates five south coast offices, in addition to Ryde, meaning this new association will provide a wider range of professional legal services to Isle of Wight residents and businesses.

Moving forward the two Walter Gray offices in Ryde and Cowes will remain open and will be known as Churchers – Walter Gray.

Ian Robinson

Ian Robinson, Managing Partner, Churchers Solicitors, said: “We are thrilled to be associated with such a wellrespected law firm on the Isle of Wight. This move will give Island residents the same high quality service they have always received but they will now have access to a wider range of services and resources.

“Our investment in the Walter Gray brand will ensure continuity and future development enriching the services residents are already offered by this outstanding team.”

Rosemary Hardwicke, Senior Director of Walter Gray & Co, said: “We are passionate about serving the community on the Island and having the Churchers team alongside us will be able to offer more legal services whilst still giving the friendly and local service for which we are known. Our loyal staff very much look forward to working with their new colleagues at Churchers.” ■

Churchers are delighted to announce a merge with the

Cowes based Isle of Wight solicitors, Diana Deacon Ltd and welcome Diana, along with her secretary Julie, to the firm.

Diana Deacon founded her business in 2014 and specialises in Commercial Property, Residential Property and Private Client work. Now the merger has taken place, Diana will be able to offer a wider range of services and more specialised expertise to her existing client base.

Diana & Julie

Churchers’ knowledge and existing services will also be enriched as a result of the merger. “We are delighted to be merging with local law firm Diana Deacon” says Churchers Managing Partner, Ian Robinson “The joining of the two firms will strengthen our involvement in the Isle of Wight and ensure we are able to reach more residents in offering a broad range of legal services”.

Existing clients of Diana Deacon Ltd have been contacted and all files have been transferred over to Churchers unless individuals have specified otherwise.

Diana Deacon is proud to still be providing the same personal service as before, now with the additional resources and expertise of a leading Hampshire and Isle of Wight law firm.

If you are a client of Diana Deacon and would like more information on this new development, please visit DianaDeacon.com ■

AWD Legal Services Ltd are seeking a Residential Property Conveyancer/Solicitor

PQE 3+ years Competitive salary & Bonus scheme

AWD Law, a leading Hampshire Law Firm, are seeking an experienced residential property solicitor with a proven record of managing a busy residential property caseload to head the Conveyancing Department

The successful applicant will work independently with minimal supervision and be responsible for a full range of residential property matters, including high net worth clients, from inception to post completion. They will be encouraged to develop a new caseload by building and maintaining appropriate local contacts. The successful applicant will benefit from working as part of a strong, established firm, which has an excellent reputation for delivering expert legal advice which tailored to the individual needs of our clients.

Moore Blatch and Barlow Robbins to merge

Combination creates new Top 100 regional powerhouse with significant specialisms including private client, property and personal injury

Leading UK law firms Moore Blatch and Barlow Robbins

have agreed to merge, creating a new regional powerhouse firm with a significant geographic footprint across the South East. The merger has been approved unanimously by the two firms’ respective partnerships.

Set to begin trading as Moore Barlow from 1 May, the new firm will comprise 70 partners, 272 lawyers and legal professionals, and a total staff of nearly 500 across six UK offices. Moore Barlow will have a combined turnover of almost £40 million, putting it well within the roster of the UK’s top 100 law firms. In terms of clients, Moore Barlow will be focused primarily on meeting the needs of private individuals & families, owners and managers of fast-moving organisations and businesses, and people whose lives have been affected by serious accidents or negligence. Each of these groups require relationship-oriented legal advisors who are dedicated to helping them find the best path through complex, difficult or stressful situations, a focus and approach which will set Moore Barlow apart in the marketplace. At the heart of the firm’s proposition will be a singular focus on people, both when it comes to clients and the firm’s 500-strong workforce across the UK.

Bringing together both firms’ respective and highly complementary areas of expertise, Moore Barlow will boast some of the largest and most comprehensive teams of legal advisors in areas such as private client, clinical negligence and residential property, among others. The firm combined will have offices in Southampton, Guildford, Woking and Lymington, as well as two locations in London (Richmond and the City). It will also be the sole UK legal advisor within Ecovis, an international network of more than 7,500 lawyers, accountants and consultants with capability around the globe.

Ed Whittington, managing partner of Moore Blatch, commented:

“There is a unique opportunity to bring together the absolute best of our two organisations – both outstanding firms with deep regional roots, strong areas of specialism, and dedicated teams of exceptional talent. By combining our respective and highly complementary areas of expertise within a culture of excellence and support, we will be one of very few firms with the breadth, depth and resources to meet all the needs of our core client groups. Moving forward with a clear vision and building on a shared set of values, Moore Barlow is poised to become a national leader in our chosen fields.”

Helen Goatley, chairman of Barlow Robbins, added:

“We feel strongly that the focus on people which lies at the heart of Moore Barlow will truly set us apart in the marketplace. For clients looking for a relationship-led service, we offer a strong commitment to achieving better outcomes for people, whether they are individuals, families, managers, leaders or entrepreneurs, and particularly those encountering opportunity, challenge or life-altering circumstances. Today’s top talent also want the right mix of a stimulating, rewarding career alongside a fulfilling work-life balance, an experience which we feel Moore Barlow will be uniquely suited to offer, and from which our clients can only benefit.” ■

Moore Barlow. Even more together…

In May 2020, Barlow Robbins and Moore Blatch joined forces to become Moore Barlow. Bringing together the legacy of our past, but looking to the future — our new law firm offers you more. More expertise & knowledge. More solutions & outcomes. More locations & coverage. Visit moorebarlow.com for further information.

Guildford London Lymington Richmond Southampton Woking

SBA – Personal hardship fund

Covid-19 Personal Hardship Fund for Solicitors

The Solicitors’ Charity has developed a unique COVID-19 Personal Hardship Fund to support solicitors who find themselves in personal hardship caused by the pandemic. The charity has committed to initial funding of £1,000,000. The fund will help solicitors that find themselves financially in need due to COVID-19. Full details on the fund and how to apply can be found on the charity’s website: www.sba.org.uk/covid-19