International law firm opens Northwest practice

Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP (BLG) has established a new office in Manchester - the firm's first in the north of England.

BLG has taken a 7,800 sq ft office at the 14-storey Chancery Place office building on Brown Street. The Manchester office will focus on a range of casualty work - including employers' liability, public liability and motor liability - as BLG plans to establish a professional liability practice out of Manchester.

It hopes to take advantage of the local skilled workforce by making numerous significant appointments in the near future.

The firm has been working with Manchester investment and development agency MIDAS to establish its northern presence.

Sarah Darch, MIDAS' business development manager for the financial and professional services, said BLG's arrival is an indication of the Manchester's growing strength in the sector.

"As the leading UK legal centre outside of London, we're seeing more and more specialist firms like BLG look to Manchester as a viable base from which to serve their existing customers and tap into new client markets. We're delighted that BLG is here and will continue to support them as they grow," she said.

BLG currently also has offices in London, Oxford, Hong Kong, São Paulo, Singapore and Shanghai.