LONDON: Knights Group Holdings plc, a top-50 U.K. law firm, has agreed to acquire the commercial and private wealth service lines of Moore Barlow LLP for £27 million in cash, expanding its footprint across the South East and South Central markets.
The deal, expected to close Nov. 1, adds about 160 fee earners and roughly £30 million in annual revenue to Knights, which operates 29 offices nationwide. Moore Barlow’s personal injury, clinical negligence and Court of Protection practices will be sold separately before the transaction closes.
Moore Barlow, formed through the 2020 merger of Moore Blatch and Barlow Robbins, traces its roots back more than 220 years. The firm generated revenue of £45 million and distributable profits of £13 million for the year ended April 30, 2026, according to draft accounts. The portion Knights is acquiring accounts for about 70% of that revenue.
Knights said the acquisition strengthens its expertise in real estate, private wealth and landed estates, while adding a leading schools and charities team. The firm plans to consolidate Moore Barlow’s Woking and Guildford offices into a new Guildford location and vacate its small City of London office.
“We are thrilled to welcome the Moore Barlow team to Knights,” said David Beech, chief executive officer of Knights. “The acquisition gives us significantly greater scale across the South East and South Central regions, and further strengthens our expertise in real estate, private wealth and landed estates.”
Beech called Moore Barlow a strong cultural and operational fit, adding that the combination would create growth opportunities and enhance client service.
Knights will pay an initial £18 million at completion, with the remaining £9 million due in equal installments over the following three years, subject to conditions. The consideration will be funded from existing banking facilities. The company expects net debt to EBITDA to be about 1.5 times by the end of the current financial year.
Ed Whittington of Moore Barlow described the deal as “an exciting next chapter” that would build on the firm’s heritage while giving clients access to a broader range of services.
Knights, which transitioned from a traditional partnership to a corporate structure in 2012, has grown rapidly and now ranks among the U.K.’s top 50 law firms by revenue. The company focuses on key markets outside London and employs specialists in business and private wealth services.
The acquisition is expected to enhance earnings in the first full year of ownership, Knights said
