ONE of Bolton’s oldest and most respected law practices is expanding its services and its base.

Russell & Russell’s Solicitors’ associate office in Chester is now merging with the Bolton practice — which includes offices in Bolton, Bury, Farnworth, Horwich, Middleton and Atherton — to create a service that stretches right across the region as far as Liverpool and North Wales.

The move comes at a time when the legal profession is generally contracting.

The firm will now offer a greater range of legal services for both offices and also a wider range of available expertise for clients.

Managing partner Stephen Crompton said it was “an exciting opportunity” for the company’s growth and expansion in both areas.

The move means the company will now have a total of 185 staff, including 20 partners.

William Russell started the company in 1897, joining in partnership with his brother Walter the following year.

The firm grew and prospered but has always been actively involved with the people of Bolton and community life. William was a councillor in Church Ward and later became MP for the town.

Today, the firm’s head office is in historic Wood Street and its partners are still involved with local people.

Senior partner Judith Bromley is chairman of Bolton Hospice.

The latest move means that the Bolton practice will gain further expertise in some areas, notably its busy family division.

Chester’s Susan Alexander is a qualified family mediator and family lawyer and expert in collaborative law.

“Her expertise will give us even more ways of dealing with family and children matters,” said Amanda Connor, head of the family and care team.

The Chester office, which opened in the late 1980s with four partners and now has a strong residential conveyancing team and criminal department, will also add to the services offered at the Bolton practice. The local team’s strengths in, among other fields, probate and wills and personal injury should benefit the Chester base and its clients.

The move is something which has long been in the planning but taken nine months to arrange.

“We felt the time was right,” said Ms Bromley. “We are regularly asked to merge with other firms but have never felt this was right for Russell & Russell.

This merger is quite different as we are joining together for expansion and to give staff more support and clients more services.

“Clients here won’t see a major difference, until they need specific services.

“We’re delighted with the merger and believe it takes Russell & Russell into a much more secure future.”