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