ONE of the region's oldest legal firms has made an acquisition.

Punch Robson, which has operated from Albert Road, in Middlesbrough, since 1877, has bought business law specialists Spooner & Co in a move that will significantly increase the size of its commercial law division.

As part of the deal, Spooner & Co founder Jeremy Spooner, a solicitor in business and personal law, has joined Punch Robson in a consultancy role to develop its commercial work, while working towards early retirement in several years' time.

Punch Robson, which has offices in Coulby Newham and Ingleby Barwick, employs more than 70 people, including 18 solicitors, and has a turnover of £3m a year.

It acts for a range of private and commercial clients in most aspects of law, including accidents and compensation, civil litigation, conveyancing, family law, wills, probate and trusts, and commercial law.

Managing partner Alan Mottram said: "The next five to ten years will see significant changes within the legal profession, during which many of our traditional roles are likely to be eroded.

Many small and medium-sized firms may struggle to survive.

"The acquisition of Spooner & Co and particularly the arrival of Jeremy Spooner, and the experience, knowledge and wonderful attitude he brings with him, is merely the beginning of a sustained period of growth for Punch Robson, during which we will seek to strengthen our expertise across the full range of services we offer our customers and significantly expand key areas of the business."

Mr Spooner's company has practised business and personal law from offices in Norton, near Stockton, since 1996.

Before that, he specialised in commercial law with another Teesside firm for 16 years.

Mr Spooner said: "I aim to retire in several years' time and, by joining Punch Robson, I can protect the longterm interests of my clients, who will now benefit from the fuller range of services provided by Punch Robson.

"At a personal level, I think it will be the perfect way to finish my career in law by helping a company I greatly respect to grow its commercial law operations."

Mr Spooner's assistant, Alison Vines, has joined him at Punch Robson's Albert Road office.