Stoy Hayward comes out against MDPs

Accountancy firm BDO Stoy Hayward has launched a public campaign against MDPs in an attempt to woo law firm clients.

Following Arthur Andersen's attempt to merge with Simmons & Simmons, and the launching of law firms by Price Waterhouse and Coopers & Lybrand, several accountancy firms on the rung below the big six are publicly stating their opposition to the one-stop shop.

Clerk Whitehill, which has a high proportion of law firm and professional service clients, has been publicly stating its opposition to moving into legal services for more than a year.

Now Stoy Hayward, number eight in the UK, has placed an advert in The Lawyer this week, positioning itself as an "independent". It states: "We believe the surge of merger mania sweeping the professions creates attractive opportunities for strong, independent firms in accountancy as much as in law."

Simon Bevan, professional practices group chairman, said: "We don't think it's in the best interests of our clients, our people or lawyers to have lawyers working with accountants in the same firm."