Merricks dissolves after strategy breakdown

Merricks is closing its doors after 17 years of business, scattering its 36 lawyers across other firms.

The Lawyer has learnt that the firm’s nine partners voted last Thursday (8 April) to dissolve following the failure of its merger with London’s Fairmays and a stream of lawyer departures.

Anthony Sheppard, chairman at Merricks, said in a statement: "Following an unsuccessful merger with the London firm of Fairmays and the recent departure of several members to start their own practices, the firm of Merricks has decided to close."

The predominantly claimant personal injury firm, established in 1987, had offices in Birmingham, Chelmsford, London and Manchester.

The announcement follows the defection of Merricks’ 16-lawyer Chelmsford office to Davies Lavery, effective yesterday (April 13). The mass hire included the chairman Sheppard.

Insurance litigation partner Andrew Hunn will head up the Chelmsford office for Davies Lavery.

Sheppard said all staff have joined other firms though at this stage, details of the new employers is not known.

Last year, The Lawyer revealed that the firm was suffering cash flow problems, forcing it to resort to staggering the payment of staff wages. At the same time, the embattled firm suffered the loss of a six-strong corporate team to Fladgate Fielder.