Thompsons strikes deal with trade union Unison

Thompsons has won the bulk of outside legal work from the UK's largest union, under a recent agreement with Unison.

Partner Tom Jones revealed that Unison, the public service union, has agreed to refer all its legal business outside London to Thompsons - London work will be referred to OH Parsons & Partners.

The agreement will bring a substantial amount of work to Thompsons, which was born of a merger between Robin Thompson & Partners and Brian Thompson & Partners in May this year. It makes the firm the largest personal injury practice in the UK.

Prior to the deal, the trade union is understood to have used a variety of firms around the UK, including Russell Jones & Walker. Ian Walker, partner at the firm, declined to comment.

A Unison spokeswoman confirmed that the National Executive Council had just finished a review of its agree- ments with outside solicitors, but refused to give details before the decision was announced to union members.