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Dickinson Dees to hive off bulk arm for future growth

Author: michelle.madsen@legalweek.com

Published: 24/05/2007 02:11

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Dickinson Dees is set to hive off its entire volume business, it has emerged, as the Newcastle giant joins a growing band of UK law firms to restructure its practice.

The top 50 UK firm will rebrand its £6.5m bulk services business, which handles conveyancing, Home Information Packs, remortgaging and repossessions work, as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the firm.

The move — which follows protracted discussions by the partnership — is set to go ahead later this year, although no official date has yet
been set by the firm’s central management.

Dickinson Dees senior partner Robin Bloom told Legal Week: “We have decided to do this with a view to seeing what happens in the marketplace in the future. We want that part of our business to be fully prepared for any changes.”

Bloom added the move was designed to take advantage of the incoming Legal Services Bill, which will allow external investment and stock market listing for law firms for the first time.

The decision sees the northeast firm become the latest major commercial practice to turn its back on volume work in a bid to refocus its activities on high-end commercial activity.

Hammonds split off its own bulk services arm in 2000 while national rival Addleshaw Goddard axed its outsourcing volume business in 2003.

The move also marks the latest development at Dickinson Dees, which earlier this year revealed it was set to open an office in London to handle work in the transport, projects, construction and real estate sectors.

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