Legal Disrupter Buys Second Law Firm

Knights, a listed legal consolidator, has finalized a £27 million acquisition of the commercial and private wealth practices of South East firm Moore Barlow, its second-largest deal since floating on the London Stock Exchange in 2018.

Knights will pay £18 million upfront, with a further £9 million due over the next three years subject to performance conditions.

The acquired firm represents roughly 70% of Moore Barlow’s revenue, which is approximately £30 million, based on draft accounts for the year ended 30 April 2026.

The draft accounts showed total firm revenue of £45 million and profits distributable to members of £13 million.

Around 160 Moore Barlow fee-earners will transfer to Knights.

They currently operate from six locations, including London.

As part of the integration, the Woking and Guildford offices will be merged into a single new Guildford base, while the City of London office will close.

The number of support staff at risk of redundancy has not been disclosed.

The remaining Moore Barlow service lines, being personal injury, clinical negligence and Court of Protection, are being sold separately immediately before the deal.

Those teams will join Fletchers Solicitors, with the Court of Protection practice moving to EMG Solicitors.

Moore Barlow, which traces its roots back more than 220 years, was formed in its current form through the 2020 merger of Moore Blatch and Barlow Robbins.

Its commercial, private wealth and landed estates practices align closely with Knights’ existing strengths, while also bringing a specialist people law team.

Knights chief executive David Beech described Moore Barlow as “a strong cultural and operational fit.”

The deal continues Knights’ focused expansion in the South East, a region the firm has prioritised in recent years.

This acquisition is part of a broader strategy, as Knights has been actively expanding its presence in the UK market, with this deal being one of many in recent years.

Since listing in 2018, Knights has completed 29 acquisitions, including the £30 million acquisition of IBB Law in 2025 and a smaller £4 million bolt-on of THP Solicitors announced earlier this week.

They have been expanding their presence through these acquisitions.

Financial performance is a key aspect of these deals.

According to the filing, the company’s financials will be affected by this acquisition.

The outlet reports that the deal will have a significant impact on the company’s revenue.

Reporters note that the acquisition is a significant step for Knights.

Journalists on the scene say that the deal will bring many benefits to the company.

The company will continue to expand its presence in the UK market.

It will do so through strategic acquisitions and expansions.

Knights will pay close attention to its financial performance as it continues to grow.

The company’s strategy is focused on expansion and growth.

They will continue to prioritize this strategy in the coming years.

David Beech will lead the company through this period of growth.

The company’s future looks bright, with many opportunities for expansion and growth.