SOUTH coast law firm, Blake Lapthorn, is merging with Portsmouth-based commercial law practice, Sherwin Oliver Solicitors, which provides a range of specialist commercial services to businesses in the Solent region and beyond.

The merger, which will be complete by the beginning of October, will consolidate and enhance its position as the premier legal firm in the south east.

Sherwin Oliver, a niche commercial firm, specialises primarily in insolvency, mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property, commercial property, franchising and IT. The merger is set to create one of the largest insolvency teams in the south east, based at Blake Lapthorn's Southampton office. The merger will also allow Blake Lapthorn to consolidate its corporate transactional teams in Southampton and Portsmouth as well as developing a substantial IP/IT team.

David Russell, senior partner of Blake Lapthorn, says of the merger: "We are delighted that Sherwin Oliver has decided to join our firm. They bring a wealth of experience in the commercial sphere, particularly in areas such as insolvency and intellectual property and IT. The merger will also strengthen our private client, property and general corporate teams".

David Oliver, insolvency partner at Sherwin Oliver, commented: "This is a very exciting time for the merged firm. The aim of Sherwin Oliver has always been to provide our clients with a high quality service. We know that Blake Lapthorn share in that ideal and the merger of our two firms will widen the pool of experience currently available to our respective clients".

Following the merger Sherwin Oliver partners and staff will gradually move from their existing offices in Portsmouth and integrate in the Blake Lapthorn offices in Portsmouth, Fareham and Southampton. The merged firm will continue to be known as Blake Lapthorn.