Knights Group Holdings plc says discussions align with strategy to expand its regional legal services platform
Listed consolidator Knights Group Holdings plc has confirmed it is in discussions to acquire South-east practice Moore Barlow LLP in what would be the largest deal in its history if completed.
Responding to press speculation, Knights said it was in talks with Moore Barlow as part of its ongoing strategy of expanding its regional legal services platform through selective acquisitions. However, it stressed there could be no certainty that any transaction would be agreed, nor as to the terms.
The potential deal would represent a significant step in Knights’ long-running consolidation strategy, which has seen the AIM-listed firm acquire dozens of practices since floating in 2018. A combination with Moore Barlow would be its biggest acquisition to date.
Moore Barlow employs hundreds of staff and operates from offices across the south and south-east of England, including Guildford, London, Richmond, Southampton and Woking. The firm reported revenue of around £42m in the 2024/25 financial year and offers services spanning family, private wealth, corporate, employment, real estate and personal injury work.
Knights said the discussions aligned with its ambition to build what it described as a “leading premium, fully collaborative legal and professional services business across the UK regions”. The firm added that it regularly considers strategic opportunities with a strong cultural fit that could support future organic growth.
News of the talks follows market speculation reported earlier this week that the two regional heavyweights were exploring a possible merger.
The transaction, if completed, would further strengthen Knights’ footprint outside London and continue a strategy that has positioned the firm as one of the most active consolidators in the regional legal market since its stock-market listing.
Shares in Knights rose sharply after confirmation of the discussions, reflecting investor interest in the potential scale of the deal and its implications for the firm’s growth trajectory.
Any agreement remains subject to negotiation, and Knights said it would provide further updates if and when appropriate.
The proposed acquisition comes amid continuing consolidation across the UK legal sector, particularly among regional firms seeking scale, investment capacity and broader service platforms to compete in an increasingly competitive market.