Listed top-50 UK law firm Knights is in talks to acquire South East firm Moore Barlow.
If the two sides reach a deal, the acquisition of Moore Barlow, which reported a turnover of £42.4m for the financial year ending in April 2024, would be Knights’ largest to date.
Knights confirmed the talks earlier today in a statement to the London Stock Exchange.
“Knights maintains regular dialogue with a number of law firms and confirms that it is currently in discussions with Moore Barlow LLP regarding a potential acquisition,” the statement said. “However, there can be no certainty that any transaction will be agreed, nor as to the terms of any such transaction.”
Knights has made nearly 30 acquisitions since it listed in 2018, the most recent being that of 28-lawyer Kent and Sussex firm Rix & Kay Solicitors last August.
Its largest transaction to date was a £30m deal in March 2025 to acquire South East firm IBB Law, which had reported revenue of £23m for the year ending 30 April 2024.
In September, Knights reported an 8% increase in turnover to £162m for its 2024/5 financial year, against a 17% decline in pre-tax profit to £12.3m, a fall it put down to acquisition-related expenses.
In November, it highlighted a “strong” first-half performance in a trading update which anticipated a 30% increase in prior-year revenue and a 12% increase in underlying profit before tax.
“Looking ahead, the second half is set to benefit from recent experienced hires and full contributions of acquisitions, keeping us firmly on track to meet investor expectations,” said CEO David Beech at the time.
Moore Barlow reports being ranked in 16 practice areas in the Chambers and Partners 2026 UK guide. These include Band 1 rankings in the south for agricultural and rural affairs, clinical negligence: mainly claimant and personal injury: mainly claimant.
It has UK-wide recognition for its education – institutions (schools) and charities.
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