Halliwells moves to avoid administration by selling off assets to rival legal outfits
HALLIWELLS, the law firm, is in talks with a number of rivals to sell off parts of its business after filing notice to appoint an administrator.
City firm Barlow Lyde & Gilbert is one of a group of law firms currently vying for a portion of Halliwells business, with the firm considering taking over its insurance practice.
Partners at Barlows will this week decide on whether the firm should make a move to take over Halliwells insurance arm.
Hill Dickinson and HBJ Gateley Wareing are also understood to be lining up to acquire parts of Halliwells business.
The Manchester based firm filed a second notice of intention to appoint an administrator last week, which has given it a 20 July deadline to sell off its business in order to avoid going into administration.
Meanwhile, Halliwells former executive chairman Ian Austin has joined local firm Heatons as head of the commercial litigation practice.
Austin was appointed to lead Halliwells last September, when the firm overhauled the shape of its senior management.