TWO leading law firms with offices in Southampton are to merge.

Irwin Mitchell and Thomas Eggar today announce this week that they will join forces to create a £250 million dynamic legal services business, which will be the eleventh largest law firm in the UK The Thomas Eggar name will disappear from next year and the firm will be known simply as Irwin Mitchell.

Irwin Mitchell stated that this was the biggest merger in the firm's 103 year history but the eighth tie-up by the fast-growing outfit since 2012.

Irwin Mitchell is based in Sheffield and has 11 offices across the UK, including in London and Bristol but the majority are in the north. Thomas Eggar, which is known for its retail, financial services, technology and media work, has just six offices, all in the south.

In Southampton, Thomas Eggar has 51 staff at its offices in Bruunswick Place and Irwin Mitchell employs 27 at its Ocean Way premises.

A spokesman for Irwin Mitchell said there were no plans to shut one of the Southampton offices.

He said the two businesses complimented each other both geographically and in the services they offered. He said the merger would strengthen Irwin Mitchell's corporate legal services and private wealth management teams Georgia Woodham, business development executive from Irwin Mitchell in Southampton, said: "Bringing our two firms together will give the strength in numbers and experience to offer clients a service that is second to none, with greater product offerings and pricing choices and access to a combined national network of 17 offices."

Thomas Eggar managing partner Vicky Brackett, who will join the Irwin Mitchell executive board, said: "This is a really exciting merger of two dynamic firms that is great news for our clients and our staff. Bringing our two firms together will make us only stronger and gives the strength in numbers and depth of experience to offer clients a service that is second to none. It highlights how Irwin Mitchell recognises the success of Thomas Eggar and Thomas Eggar recognises the strength of Irwin Mitchell. This is the expertise merger."

Irwin Mitchell revealed earlier this year that turnover had risen from £202.7 million to £210.6 million in the last financial year, with Thomas Eggar reporting a turnover north of £40 million in 2014.