Family firm with lofty ambitions buys up another practice

A family firm with ambitions to be the biggest practice of its kind in the UK has acquired another legal practice.

Stowe Family Law today announced the acquisition of south east firm Watson Thomas Solicitors, which has offices in London, Surrey and Hampshire.

The firm says enquiries for divorce have risen following the pandemic and amid the cost of living crisis, and this latest move will increase its ability to meet client demand.

Ken Fowlie, chairman at Stowe, said: ‘This acquisition is another positive step in Stowe’s journey, as we continue to pursue our mission to be the UK’s leading family law practice. We are always looking for new ways to grow the firm and support our clients.’

Acquired by private equity firm Livingbridge in 2017, Stowe has grown into a network of 64 offices across England and Wales, with more than 120 specialist family lawyers and one of the country’s largest portfolios of family law work.

The most recent Watson Thomas accounts, for the year ended 30 April 2022, show that the firm had 23 employees. Cash in the bank had been halved to £72,000 and the business had a net liability of around £7,000, owing £275,000 to creditors and owed £196,000 for ongoing work.

Fowlie added: ‘Watson Thomas Solicitors is a strong addition to the Stowe Family Law breadth of offering, accelerating our growth strategy and expanding our presence in the Surrey, Hampshire and London markets.

‘With enquiries into the firm trending at an all-time high, the combined scale will help us support more families as they navigate the issues brought about by a relationship breakdown.’

This is the second Stowe acquisition in the past year. It bought London firm Chapman Pieri last April.

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