A specialist law firm has been acquired by private equity-backed Fletchers Group as part of a double deal to create one of the UK's biggest Court of Protection specialists.
Details of the Acquisition
Fletchers has acquired EMG Solicitors, based in Durham with offices in Gosforth and Penrith, to create a dedicated Court of Protection and private client division under the EMG brand. Additionally, Kent-based firm JE Bennett Law has been acquired and will join the expanded EMG business. Fletchers Solicitors' existing 30-strong Court of Protection team will also transfer into EMG.
The expanded Court of Protection business will be led by EMG founder and CEO Emma Gaudern, who will join Fletchers' management board. The team will consist of more than 200 specialists across EMG's current offices in Manchester, Reading, and Tunbridge Wells.
Regulatory Approval and Financial Details
The latest deals have received regulatory approval, but their financial value has not been disclosed.
Fletchers Group Background
North West group Fletchers was acquired by an affiliate of Sun European Partners in 2021 and has made several acquisitions since, including last year's deal for family law specialist Rayden Solicitors. The group now employs more than 1,000 staff.
Comments from Leadership
Fletchers Group CEO Peter Haden expressed his delight, stating: "EMG and JE Bennett Law are two highly impressive, respected firms with deep expertise in Court of Protection and private client work. Bringing these teams together creates a specialist practice with real depth across the full spectrum of Court of Protection services, ranging from complex financial management and deputyships to high-value estates and trusts."
He added: "It will also provide a full-service health and welfare offering, supporting clients on some of the most complex health and care decisions, education law matters and continuing healthcare challenges."
Haden continued: "This is a significant step forward in strengthening our private client capabilities and reflects our group strategy of scaling up and building expertise across the different areas of civil justice – expanding from our roots in serious injury and clinical negligence and into complementary areas of law."
He concluded: "I am confident the team will quickly establish EMG as the pacesetter to watch, alongside our other specialist brands in the group."
Emma Gaudern commented: "During discussions with Peter and the team it quickly became apparent that Fletchers Group will be the best possible partner for our people and our clients. Being part of a progressive, growth-focused group will help EMG, JE Bennett Law and Fletchers' CoP team to create a powerful, nationwide force in Court of Protection and private client services."
She added: "The expanded EMG business will operate independently of Fletchers Solicitors with clear professional boundaries; appropriate information safeguards will remain in place, ensuring confidentiality and protecting sensitive commercial information."
Gaudern also noted: "We will also ensure that any Court of Protection clients introduced to EMG by external firms will not be represented by or referred to Fletchers under any circumstances."
She further stated: "Consolidation in the legal sector is accelerating and we are excited to be a part of this significant shift in our industry, with support and backing from Fletchers to re-set our ambitious growth plans both organic, from our increase in scale, and inorganic, as we would love to speak to other firms looking to take advantage of the new opportunities in this evolving market."
JE Bennett Law Leadership
JE Bennett Law is led by founder and managing partner Jane Bennett, who will join the leadership team of the expanded EMG alongside Emma Gaudern, Jemma Morland (co-founder and director of Court of Protection at EMG), and Kate Edwards (director of Court of Protection at Fletchers).
Jane Bennett said: "Both Fletchers and EMG share our passion for helping vulnerable people, and the new expanded business will provide us with the opportunity to reach far more clients across the country needing our specialist help."
