Clapham & Collinge leaves QualitySolicitors after four years

One of Norfolk's oldest law firms has announced it has left the QualitySolicitors network after four years under the brand.

Clapham & Collinge has offices in Norwich and Sheringham, employing more than 50 people. The firm's move to re-establish itself as an independent firm coincides with the 60th anniversary of its formation.

Hugh Berridge, a senior partner at the firm said: "Becoming part of a large, national network was absolutely the right decision for us four years ago. Changes in legislation were making it incredibly hard for smaller law firms to compete against commodity legal providers such as the large supermarket chains. We were determined to put ourselves in the best possible position to retain our market share and grow as a business.

"There was a good fit between Clapham & Collinge and QualitySolicitors and we were able to learn from each other and create a customer-focused brand that is now well-known across the UK."

However, partners at the firm recently decided the time was right to re-focus on its own brand. Clients and staff arriving at the firm's offices are now greeted with a "plum and pistachio" brand mark replacing the bright pink synonymous with QualitySolicitors.

Berridge added that the partners were "extremely excited" about the firm's independent future. "We hope that people who don't already know us will be tempted to find out more about how we can help them. The move away from being part of a national network means that we can revert to making business decisions that are entirely focused on the needs of our business, our clients and our community."

John van der Luit-Drummond is legal reporter for Solicitors Journal