Thorntons acquires Morisons LLP Edinburgh Business

Update | Morisons Solicitors

29 March 2019

Thorntons has acquired certain assets, goodwill and work-in-progress of the Edinburgh office of Morisons LLP, following the appointment today (Friday 29 March) of Tom MacLennan and Iain Fraser, partners with FRP Advisory LLP, as joint administrators of Morisons LLP.

The deal, which is for an undisclosed sum, sees 8 of Morisons’ partners and 41 staff transferring to Thorntons. There are no immediate redundancies, however the Morisons office in Edinburgh (Exchange Place) will close within 2 months.

Thorntons will next week begin a redundancy consultation period with former Morisons staff in Edinburgh whilst simultaneously undertaking a review of their staff structures and requirements. It is hoped that around 20 jobs will be saved as a result of the deal.

Commenting on the acquisitions, Tom MacLennan, partner at FRP Advisory and joint administrator, said: “We are delighted that Thorntons has agreed a deal to acquire certain assets, goodwill and work-in-progress of Morisons Edinburgh, thus ensuring continuity of client service, preserving employment and safeguarding client funds. We wish the newly enlarged business every success.”

Craig Nicol, managing partner of Thorntons commented: “Thorntons has made a number of recent investments in our Edinburgh team and client offering, including a move to new, larger offices at Citypoint.

“Morisons was a long-standing, highly respected firm with a high profile in the Central Belt, and this acquisition will further strengthen our position in the Edinburgh market.

“Our priority will be to provide a seamless transition for clients to ensure they continue to receive an excellent service, and to integrate those Partners and employees moving across into our Edinburgh team.”

About Thorntons

Thorntons’ roots can be traced back to 1857. Over the generations, Thorntons has grown to become one of Scotland’s top 5 independent law firms, providing legal and property advice to individuals, families and business from offices across Edinburgh, Dundee, Fife, Perthshire and Angus.

Our success is built on investment in our services and people resulting in high quality advice, coupled with exceptional client care. By taking time to understand our clients’ specific needs we’re able to deliver solutions for the long term. We are on hand to answer any questions or concerns you have regarding the Morisons Solicitors Administration. You can get in touch with your usual contact or email us and we will respond as soon as possible.

Your questions answered

If you have any questions that are not answered below, please get in touch with your usual contact or email us.

I am a Morisons’ client and I have an ongoing matter, what should I do?

You will receive a letter or email about any ongoing matters Morisons Solicitors were dealing with for you. The letter will detail what will happen next and what you are required to do. It is important that you read the letter and respond as soon as possible. If you have any questions you can contact the person you have been dealing with. If you don’t receive a letter or email by 5 April please contact us

I have a property on the market, what should I do?

If Morisons were selling your property, this will now be marketed by Thorntons. You will receive a letter or email about your property sale. The letter will detail what will happen next and what you are required to do. It is important that you read the letter and if you have any questions you can contact the sales negotiator you have been dealing with. If you don’t receive a letter or email by 5 April please contact us.

I have an appointment booked with a someone next week, will it go ahead?

If you have an appointment or meeting arranged it will go ahead as planned unless you hear otherwise. If for, any reason, the appointment needs to be changed someone will contact you to arrange another convenient date.

Morisons Solicitors prepared my Will, do I need to do anything?

If you have used Morisons Solicitors in the past and the firm held a Will for you, you don’t need to do anything at the current time. Following the acquisition, all files and documents previously held by Morisons Solicitors are now in the safe custody of Thorntons.

We appreciate you may be concerned about these important documents and we can reassure you that any documents held on your behalf by Morisons Solicitors will continue to be stored securely by Thorntons. If you wish to discuss any aspect of your business with us then please feel free to contact one of our offices or email us.

Morisons Solicitors hold my property Titles, do I need to do anything?

If you have used Morisons Solicitors in the past and the firm held Title Deeds for you, you don’t need to do anything at the current time. Following the acquisition, all files and documents previously held by Morisons Solicitors are now in the safe custody of Thorntons.

We appreciate you may be concerned about these important documents and we can reassure you that any documents held on your behalf by Morisons Solicitors will continue to be stored securely by Thorntons. If you wish to discuss any aspect of your business with us then please feel free to contact one of our offices or email us.

I don’t have an ongoing legal matter, is there anything I need to do?

There is nothing you need to do currently. If you do want to talk to someone however, please get in touch with your previous Morisons contact or email us.