Fletchers Group acquires Shoosmiths serious injury practice in landmark deal

Fletchers Group has strengthened its position as a UK leader in serious injury and clinical negligence law with the acquisition of Shoosmiths’ serious injury practice (SSI), one of the most respected and experienced teams in the sector.

The deal will see 80 colleagues – including eight partners – join Fletchers, boosting its specialist team to over 800 fee earners and expanding its national reach with new offices in Birmingham, Thames Valley, and Northampton. These locations complement Fletchers’ existing hubs in Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Southport, Bolton, Newcastle, and Cambridge.

Phil Barnes, former National Head of Shoosmiths Serious Injury, will lead the new business in the Midlands and South and oversee the integration over the next six months. The acquisition also includes a significant portfolio of Court of Protection clients, enhancing Fletchers’ offering in this complex area of law.

Peter Haden, Chief Executive of Fletchers Group, said:

“We’re thrilled to welcome a team with such a strong track record in complex, high-value serious injury and clinical negligence cases, including major birth injury and catastrophic claims. Their experience and reputation in this area are second to none, and they will play a vital role in our ongoing growth.”

The SSI team is ranked in the top tier by Chambers and Legal 500, and 90% of its casework is in clinical negligence. Fletchers, which signed approximately 13,000 serious injury cases in 2024 – a 20% increase year-on-year – has nearly doubled its case volumes since being backed by Sun European Partners in 2021.

David Jackson, Chief Executive of Shoosmiths, said:

“We’re proud of the exceptional team we’ve built and the outstanding results they’ve delivered for clients. However, the serious injury market now demands highly focused investment at scale. After a thorough review, we’re confident Fletchers offers the right home for our people and clients – with the infrastructure, ambition and values to support long-term success.”

He added that the move allows Shoosmiths to sharpen its focus on its core 2030 growth strategy, centred on Corporate, Real Estate, and Litigation, with a strong sector focus across Technology, Financial Services, Energy, Infrastructure, and Mobility.

Phil Barnes commented:

“This decision wasn’t taken lightly, but it’s the right one for our clients and our people. Fletchers stood out as a firm with the scale, focus, and vision to take our practice forward. I’m incredibly proud of everything we’ve achieved at Shoosmiths, and excited about what we can do together at Fletchers.”

Peter Haden added that the deal marks another milestone in Fletchers’ consolidation strategy:

“We remain resolute in our ambition to be the UK’s most successful serious injury law firm – combining organic and inorganic growth, investing in people and technology, and contributing to vital national conversations about the role of legal support in recovery and redress.”

Recent research by Pragmatix Advisory (Nov. 2024) found that Fletchers helped secure £250 million in injury compensation last year, with much of this used to fund treatment, rehabilitation, and care. Without intervention, the same group of clients would have faced a combined loss in quality of life valued at £411 million annually.

The deal is expected to complete in August 2025. Financial terms are undisclosed and regulatory approval is not required.

Image provided by designer491 via Canva

Francesca Kaye