Kent law firm Cripps has announced a merger with PDT Solicitors, a leading commercial law firm based in Horsham, West Sussex – a strategic move set to expand Cripps’ presence in the South East.
PDT Solicitors has built a strong reputation in corporate, insolvency, real estate and dispute resolution legal services. It has achieved significant success, reporting revenues of £5 million in FY22-23 with a team of over 50 highly talented professionals, including 29 fee earners.
The merger with PDT will complement and strengthen Cripps’ legal services in real estate, corporate, asset-based lending, insolvency and litigation – expanding the firm’s services to existing and new clients across the region.
This development will also open up greater access to talent within the Gatwick Diamond area, extending from Brighton to Guildford and north of Gatwick.
James Beatton (pictured), managing partner at Cripps, expressed his excitement about the merger, stating: “We’ve known and worked with PDT for many years. We share the same entrepreneurial spirit and growth mindset, and have been hugely impressed by their legal talent and approach to client service.
“I am looking forward to joining forces and providing an enhanced experience for our people and clients. Our ambition is to be the pre-eminent law firm in the South, and this merger takes us another step closer to that goal.”
The firms will come together under the Cripps brand with James Clewlow, managing partner at PDT Solicitors, joining the Cripps board upon completion of the merger in early 2024.
James said: “We are delighted to join forces with Cripps, whose ambition and creativity I really love. Having worked closely with Cripps for a number of years, we know that our values and cultures are well aligned and that we share the same passion and energy for our future vision for the merged firm.
“I believe the merger will bring tremendous benefits to our clients, our people and the wider communities we serve.”
The move further strengthens Cripps’ foothold in the South East, where it already maintains offices in Kent and London, generating revenues exceeding £45m.
This merger follows the successful integration of Cripps and Pemberton Greenish in 2019, underscoring the firm’s commitment to growth and becoming the premier law firm in the South.
