The move comes after merger talks between Bond Pearce and Scottish firm Maclay Murray & Spens broke down earlier this year.

Legal Week reports that Newcastle-headquartered Dickson Dees views Bond Pearce’s network of southern offices as a perfect fit, with offices in Bristol, Plymouth, Southampton, London and Aberdeen.

Respective strategies

Dickinson Dees managing partner Jonathan Blair told legal Week: ‘Bond Pearce's vision is to compete as a top 30 UK law firm by delivering the best service experience. Dickinson Dees' vision is to become, by 2020, a top 20 UK law firm.

‘Our strategies, cultures, sector capabilities and geographic footprints appear to be sufficiently complementary as to warrant consideration of whether, in a rapidly consolidating market, a merger of our two firms would facilitate the execution of their respective strategies.’

Bond Pearce managing partner Victor Tettmar added: ‘By merging the two firms we could take a major step towards fulfilling our longer term strategic goals.’

Combining businesses

Meanwhile, Yorkshire duo Lee & Priestley and Lupton Fawcett are also in merger discussion, reports the Yorkshire Post.

In a joint statement, the firms confirmed the existence of talks but declined to comment further on the merger process. A potentially tie-up would mark the third major consolidation deal for Leeds-based commercial firm Lupton Fawcett in under four years. The combined firm’s turnover would be approximately £17m.

Lupton Fawcett manager director Richard Marshall said: ‘We have known the Lee & Priestley team for many years now and they have built a tremendous and high quality law firm serving the vibrant Yorkshire market. Combining our two businesses in Leeds will create a tremendous platform to jointly serve that market.'