In brief: Takeover takes Stonehams into new field

The largest commercial law firm in Croydon - six-partner Stonehams - has taken over three-partner Croydon firm Peard Webster Pringle & John, which specialises in insolvency, personal injury and family law. Stonehams managing partner Russell Bell said: "The insolvency and personal injury work supplements the work we already do, and the family work will be a new area for us." Stonehams specialises in the mid-corporate sector, advising private companies with a turnover of between £1m and £30m.