Foot Anstey to merge with Cornwall's Hancock Caffin

South West solicitors Foot Anstey and Cornish firm Hancock Caffin are merging to become the largest law firm in Devon, Cornwall and Somerset.

The new firm will go under the banner Foot Anstey, although it will be known as Foot Anstey and Hancock Caffin in Cornwall.

The merger will take place on 1 December and the new firm will have a total of 38 partners, 230 lawyers and 133 support staff.

Foot Anstey is known for its strong property sector as well as family law, charity and public sector work.

Hancock Caffin specialises in the agricultural sector and also focuses on financial services via its independent financial services company.

Foot Anstey managing partner Jane Lister said the merger would enable her firm to establish a presence in Cornwall while ensuring that local people could still use local firms for their legal advice.

Managing partner of Hancock Caffin Mark Chanter said the merger would open a wider area of expertise to clients.

The merger comes on the back of Foot Anstey's merger with Plymouth firm Serpell Eaton, which takes effect on 1 October.