TWO law firms which merged last year confirmed last night that they are to split.

As reported in The Northern Echo on Tuesday, Mincoffs and Jacksons, which became Mincoff Jackson last October, looked likely to go their separate ways almost a year to the day after their high-profile union.

In a statement last night, the firm said: “As of October 1, 2009, Mincoff Jacksons LLP will cease operating as Mincoff Jacksons and will revert back to its original partnerships – Mincoffs LLP and Jacksons LLP. Both firms will continue to provide commercial and private client services with Mincoffs practising from its Newcastle office and Jacksons from Tees Valley.

“All staff will remain in their original employer’s offices.

Mincoffs will be headed by senior partner Howard Gold, and Jacksons will be headed by senior partner Kevin Fletcher.”

Mincoff Jacksons’ managing partner, Nigel Kidwell, said: “The Tees Valley and Newcastle offices of Mincoff Jacksons have been affected by the economic downturn, changing the aspirations of each party. Both partners agree it is in the best interests of both parties, staff and clients, to move forward as separate businesses with respective high reputations built up over many decades.”