AN ACQUISITION will bring together two of the area’s longest-established law firms.

GHP Legal has expanded its services by purchasing the Oswestry practice of Milton Francis & Hughes.

Partner Richard Hughes said: "GHP Legal and MFH are similar in that they are multi-disciplinary practices, committed to providing clients with legal services of the highest standard.

"Despite our collective size we shall continue to combine our professional approach with a friendly, personal and easily accessible service.”

With expertise at Milton Francis & Hughes stemming back to 1983, GHP Legal’s success began when Gwilym Hughes, Gethin Davies and Clive Jones, all former partners in the Wrexham and Shotton Practice of Cyril Jones & Co, joined forces to establish Gwilym Hughes & Partners in 1970.

The year 2000 brought the merger with (AW) Brown & Lloyd of Oswestry, which was founded in 1980.

Richard Lloyd and John Hulme, both former partners of Brown & Lloyd, continue as partners of GHP Legal today. As with earlier mergers, their aim is to ensure a seamless transition in the firm’s latest acquisition, with MFH Senior Mr Hughes, and his colleagues, Jeremy Case and Kellie Lewis, continuing in roles within the firm.

Employing specialists who cover almost every aspect of law in offices in Oswestry, Wrexham, Chirk and Llangollen, GHP Legal already serves a client base stretching across more than 10 counties in England and Wales.

GHP Legal senior partner, Richard Lloyd, said: “The merger of our two firms serves to strengthen the position of GHP Legal, which is already a highly regarded law firm across Shropshire and North and Mid Wales.

“We are pleased to welcome the staff of Milton Francis & Hughes to this firm and are very proud to now call them colleagues.

"The two firms will continue under the GHP Legal banner and with the shared ethics of hard work, efficiency and commitment to client care for which both are well renowned."