Hugh James unveils the brand in Manchester following acquisition

The two firms joined forces in October 2022, strengthening Hugh James’ serious injury and clinical negligence practice, and expanding the firm’s presence in the Northwest.

The collaboration has seen strong growth in its first year; with three new partners and the total number of colleagues growing from 65 to 75. The Hugh James logo replaces “PRD – A Hugh James Business” just one week after the firm scooped the awards for “Catastrophic Injury Lawyer of the Year” and “Outstanding Achievement” at Manchester’s Personal Injury Awards, showcasing their shared values and expertise.

Their combined strength was recently recognised by the legal directories. Hugh James is now ranked Band 1 for the Northwest in Chambers and Partners, building on the strong reputation law firm PRD has built in the region. In total, the firm is ranked across 29 departments, and 61 individually named lawyers, in the main directory and High Net Worth edition. 

With the switch, clients can expect the highest standards of professionalism and excellent client service that both brands are known for – the only thing that will change, is the name.

Hugh James’ head of individual client services Stephen Webber said: “It’s been a strong year for everyone involved. We’ve strengthened our expertise through internal promotions and lateral hires and celebrated much-deserved awards and top industry rankings for our talented and dedicated legal teams. We’re in no doubt we are stronger as one. As we unite under the Hugh James brand, our collective commitment to delivering outstanding service to our clients and communities remains stronger than ever.”

The expansion mirrors the full-service firm’s growth across the UK, with more than 700 employees across its London, Manchester, Southampton and Plymouth offices, and Cardiff headquarters. Also, this year, Hugh James further strengthened its London office with a move to larger City premises.