In brief: Merger forms strong north-east practice

Two Cleveland firms have merged to become one of the biggest legal forces in the north-east. Tilly Bailey & Irvine, of Hartlepool, and Bolsover Manning Scott & Co, of Stockton, pooled resources to produce a practice with 130 staff. The new practice will eventually operate under the Tilly Bailey & Irvine name, but the Bolsover side will continue under its own name for the intervening period. Both Tilly and Bolsover were among the first in Cleveland to be awarded a Legal Aid Board franchise. Pictured left to right: partners John Tilly, Michael Manning, Peter Scott and Tim Wilsdon.