Burges Salmon trio launches boutique

Three senior associates have quit Bristol firm Burges Salmon to launch niche agricultural property firm Loxley.

Judith Bell, Simon Leach and Michael Johnstone left Burges Salmon's agriculture and property litigation practice to launch the firm in November. Partner Bell said they wanted to offer a specialist service.

She said: "Firms such as Burges Salmon are large commercial firms and it can be very difficult for private clients to afford commercial firm prices. Here we can do more work for a lower price."

Gloucestershire-based Loxley has a national client base and Bell said Burges Salmon referred specialist agricultural property work to it. She added that the firm would spend 2008 consolidating its position with existing clients before aiming to grow in 2009.

Burges Salmon said it was looking to recruit internally to replace the three.