Merger split law firm opens office in Newcastle

Nov 12 2009 by Peter McCusker, The Journal

A TEESSIDE commercial law firm has opened an office in Newcastle in a move which will be seen as a direct threat to the city's existing firms - and its former Tyneside partner.

Little more than a month ago the merged Mincoff Jacksons law firm announced they were going their own separate ways after less than a year together.

It is widely understood that Newcastle-based Mincoff and Stockton-based Jacksons had different cultures and after a while it was apparent they were “incompatible” partners.

Now Jacksons has opened an office in Central Square.

In a Press statement, Jacksons managing partner, Nigel Kidwell, said: “It is an ideal and obvious location for us, convenient for our Tyneside clients and associates and for those based further afield and with every amenity.

“The building is managed with charm and efficiency by the landlord’s carefully selected team. A perfect forum for the welcoming and approachable style of professionalism for which I hope we are known.”

No one was available for comment from Mincoff.

When Mincoff merged with Jacksons last October, to form a firm with 21 partners and 160 staff called Mincoff Jacksons, it was described by both parties ideal marriage of similar firms with a similar general ethos”.

But when they de-merged in September the parties said the merged firm had “been affected by the economic downturn in different and unforeseen ways, changing the aspirations of each party over the course of the last year”.

A joint statement added: “Both sets of partners agree that it is in the best interests of both parties, their staff and their clients, to move forward as separate businesses with their respective high reputations built up over many decades.”

At the time of the merger in October, 2008, Mincoff had a turnover of around £4m and employed 32 solicitors including eight partners. It now has five partners and 15 solicitors. Jacksons, which is over 130 years old, was the larger firm with 13 partners at the time of the merger.