In September 1992 Manchester firm Pannone March Pearson merged with City firm Pritchard Englefield & Tobin to form a 55-partner firm, but they later split.

Then in 1993 the 45 partners of City firm Frere Cholmeley agreed to join the 20 partners of Bischoff & Co.

Meanwhile Eversheds was slowly expanding its network of law firms culminating in a merger in 1995.

In May 1995 Pinsent & Co and Simpson Curtis merged to create a 97-partner firm, and Nabarro Nathanson joined forces with Turner Kenneth Brown to form a 128-partner outfit.

City firm Nicholson Graham & Jones and Mayfair-based Brecher & Co followed, to create a top 40 46-partner firm.

The two largest mergers of 1996 were between Dibb Lupton Broomhead and Alsop Wilkinson, and Addleshaw Sons & Latham and Booth & Co.

After 22 years apart, Robin Thompson & Partners and Brian Thompson & Partners reunited to form a giant personal injury firm.