Knights Group Holdings plc (KGH), the UK top-50 law firm by revenue, has completed its acquisition of Moore Barlow LLP, a major independent regional law firm, on 2 November 2026 — in line with the timeframe set out when the deal was announced on 21 August 2026. The acquisition adds offices in Guildford, Lymington, Richmond and Southampton to Knights' network, bringing its total location count to 33. The deal significantly strengthens Knights' presence in the South of England and introduces a market-leading independent schools sector team, a new practice area for the Group.

Key Points

  • Knights Group Holdings plc (KGH), a UK top-50 law firm by revenue operating from a corporate structure since 2012
  • Acquisition of Moore Barlow LLP completed 2 November 2026, in line with the timeframe announced on 21 August 2026
  • Knights now operates from 33 UK locations; Moore Barlow's Woking team relocated to Guildford prior to completion
  • Investors should watch for updates on integration progress, organic growth contribution, and further South East M&A activity

Moore Barlow's Commercial and Private Client Lines Acquired After Pre-Completion Disposal of Personal Injury Business

Immediately prior to completion, Moore Barlow disposed of its personal injury, clinical negligence and Court of Protection business as planned. Knights has therefore acquired only Moore Barlow's commercial and private client service lines. The announcement confirms that the Woking office team relocated to Guildford ahead of completion, meaning Knights now operates from four former Moore Barlow locations: Guildford, Lymington, Richmond and Southampton. The business is trading under the Knights brand immediately, with full technology integration in place from day one to enable collaboration across the enlarged firm.

Independent Schools Sector Expertise Adds New Practice Area to Knights' Core Offering

Beyond expanding geographic footprint, the acquisition brings strategic practice-area diversification. The announcement states that Moore Barlow contributes a market-leading team in the independent schools sector — described explicitly as a new area for Knights. The Group also highlights that Moore Barlow's client base will benefit from access to Knights' wider range of services across Corporate and Commercial law and Private Wealth. This client base expansion, combined with a new specialist team, forms a core part of the deal's stated rationale alongside the strengthening of existing core practice areas in the South of England.

Acquisition Builds on Knights' 18-Month M&A Push Across the South and South East

Knights describes the Moore Barlow deal as consistent with its strategy to support future organic growth through selective acquisitions. The announcement notes that the transaction builds upon significant M&A activity the Group has undertaken across the South and South East over the last 18 months. Knights, which moved from a traditional partnership model to a corporate structure in 2012, now ranks within the UK's top 50 largest law firms by revenue and focuses on key UK markets outside London. The company did not disclose financial terms of the acquisition in the announcement.