Staff split off to establish own business

Eleven staff, including two partners and two associates, have left a London law firm to start a breakaway practice following a split in ideas over future direction.

They are leaving Steggles Palmer to build a new operation based on employment law, commercial, medical negligence and personal injury, and called Fairbairn Morris.

Both sides claim the division is an amicable separation which evolved from a wish to concentrate on different areas.

Peter Steggles, senior partner at Steggles Palmer, says: "There has been a divergence of professional ambitions among some partners. It is opportune for these separate areas to develop independently."

Rod Sparks, partner with the new firm, says: "We felt that our interests and those of our clients were best served by making this move at this time."

Fairbairn Morris will be headed by partners Geoff Morris, Lorna Fairbairn, Sparks and Fiona Scurlock.

Solicitors and fee-earners David Norris, Barny Vail, Chris Filor and Sue Macdonald are also making the break, with their support staff.

John Quibell, who becomes a consultant, recently left a partnership at Steggles to go in-house with a former client.

Steggles Palmer will now refocus on company, commercial, private client, property and commercial litigation.