In brief: Croydon firms form alliance

Ormerod Wilkinson Marshall and The Heap Partnership are merging to form the largest firm in Croydon, south-east London. OWM is headed by former Law Society president Sir John Wickerson. The alliance comes as OWM loses its head of litigation, John Wilkinson, who has been appointed a district judge by the Lord Chancellor. He takes up the post in September. OWM is a broad-based general law practice offering company, commercial and residential conveyancing services while The Heap Partnership specialises in personal injury claims. Senior partner Ian Heap is a member of the Law Society's Personal Injury Panel and Accident Line scheme and also specialises in negligence and insurance fraud.