A fast-growing East Anglian law firm has announced a merger with a Kent-based business.

Birketts, a UK Top 50 law firm with an 850-strong workforce, is set to join forces with Batchelors Solicitors - a smaller outfit employing around 40 people.

Birketts has offices in Ipswich, Norwich, Cambridge, Chelmsford and London and a turnover of £77.6m. The deal with £3.4m turnover Batchelors will bring eight new partners to the firm, taking the tally to 106.

The merger - set to be completed on March 21, 2023 - will further expand Birketts' footprint as it continues to grow.

Birketts chief executive Jonathan Agar said they were "thrilled" to be welcoming the Batchelors team on board.

"With shared specialisms and a business structure very similar to our own, we are confident that they will fit seamlessly, both commercially and culturally, into our full service offering.”

Among the benefits of the merger is that it will bolster the business's social housing team - as both firms have strong roots in the sector.

Birketts senior partner James Austin said it was "an exciting opportunity" to further the firm's presence and expertise in London and beyond.

"The Batchelors team will be a great addition to the firm and we look forward to seeing what the future holds," he siad.

Thaine Wilson, managing partner at Batchelors said: “The merger of Batchelors and Birketts is truly pivotal in terms of the opportunities that it presents for future growth in our key market sectors of social housing, commercial, property and private client.”

Batchelors senior partner Mark Walkington added: “The strong traditions of both firms for providing quality forward thinking advice as well as the obvious geographical fit establishes an excellent base from which we can quickly establish Birketts as the first choice legal firm for both businesses and individuals right across the South East region of London, Kent, Surrey and Sussex.”