National firm Irwin Mitchell has significantly expanded its presence in the north east with the acquisition of a family practice.

The firm will buy Silk Family Law to add to its national family practice with around 25 extra staff.

Silk Family Law, incorporated in 2010, is ranked top in the Legal 500 in the north east and operates from offices in Newcastle, Leeds and Richmond.

It represents clients in all aspects of matrimonial and family law cases, including financial and children matters. Its lawyers specialise in dealing with complex financial issues, including business assets, farming businesses, trusts, and pensions, as well as cases with an international dimension.

The latest accounts for Silk Family Law show a business in good health: net assets had tipped over £2m for the year ended 30 September 2022, with more than £1.6m cash reserves.

Irwin Mitchell now has one of the largest family law teams in the country and has said it plans in the immediate future to retain the Silk offices, with no plans for any redundancies.

Ros Bever, Irwin Mitchell director of legal services in family law, said: ‘This strategic investment will expand our expertise and reach in the North East of England, and I’m excited about our combined future.  

Ros Bever - Director of Legal Services Family Law at Irwin Mitchell

Ros Bever, Irwin Mitchell director of legal services in family law

‘Our family law specialists work on ground-breaking cases and achieve excellent results for our clients, and we’re delighted to be welcoming the Silk Family Law team to Irwin Mitchell.’

In the past financial year Irwin Mitchell has also agreed deals to acquire asset management firms TWP Wealth and Andrews Gwynne. The firm has also opened new offices in Cardiff and Liverpool and recruited 18 new partners.

Silk Family Law was advised by Armstrong Watson LLP and Harrison Clark Rickerbys Limited. Irwin Mitchell was advised by its in-house corporate partner Dan Bastide and Menzies LLP.