Morton Fraser presses on with expansion

by Tim Sharp
© The Herald
Originally published: 14.07.2008
Law firm Morton Fraser has shrugged off economic uncertainty to press on with expansion plans by acquiring 150-year-old Edinburgh firm Skene Edwards, writes Tim Sharp.

Morton Fraser, which claims a history 29 years longer than its latest addition, operates out of Edinburgh Glasgow and London.

It recently announced a 15per cent increase in turnover to GBP15.6m for the year ended April 30, 2008, compared to annual revenue of GBP1.7m at Skene Edwards, whose specialisms include private client, corporate and commercial property law and financial planning.

The merger, which is due to complete in the autumn, will see three of Skene Edwards' partners transfer across as partners with the remaining two joining as consultants. Another 20 members of staff will also move across. Morton Fraser, whose work in the past year included advising on the Scottish aspects of the takeover of Scottish & Newcastle, currently has 32 partners and 280 members of staff.

Skene Edwards senior partner Tom Foggo said his clients would benefit from a wider range of services.