PE-backed Fletchers continues acquisition spree with Freeths team hire

Private equity-backed Fletchers Group has struck another acquisition deal as it continues an aggressive expansion push across the consumer legal market.

The group has agreed to acquire the clinical negligence and Court of Protection teams from Freeths, adding a total of 42 people across Nottingham, Oxford and Derby.

The deal will see 21 clinical negligence lawyers join Fletchers Solicitors, while the 21-strong Court of Protection team will become part of EMG, the standalone business within Fletchers Group.

Expansion drive continues

The latest move builds on Fletchers’ broader acquisition spree under private equity ownership.

In April, the group acquired EMG and Kent-based JE Bennett Law to create a dedicated Court of Protection and private client division.

Fletchers Group chief executive Peter Haden said: “Our new clinical negligence colleagues will help reinforce our position as the UK’s largest clinical negligence practice, strengthening our support for clients with the most serious, life-changing injuries.

“The Court of Protection team adds significant depth to our national offering, enabling us to support clients across their full journey - from serious injury and clinical negligence cases through to lifelong Court of Protection and private client services."

Private equity consolidation

Fletchers has been backed by private equity firm Sun Capital Partners since 2021 and has become one of the most active consolidators in the UK consumer legal market.

Earlier this year, we reported that Sun Capital had sold the business into a continuation vehicle - a structure allowing sponsors to retain portfolio companies beyond the traditional private equity holding period.

Sun Capital said at the time that Fletchers’ EBITDA had grown from £8 million at acquisition to £37.9 million as of last September, driven by organic growth and a string of add-on deals.

Those acquisitions include last year’s purchase of the 80-strong serious injury arm of Shoosmiths.

Fletchers is part of a growing group of UK law firms operating under private equity ownership, particularly across high-volume consumer areas such as personal injury, where scale and operational efficiencies can boost margins.