Turcan Connell has signalled its ambition to expand after hiring two senior family law experts from larger rival Maclay Murray and Spens (MMS).

Noel Ferry, formerly head of family law at MMS, moves to be a senior associate and will be based in the recently opened Glasgow office of Turcan Connell.

He will be joined in St Vincent Street by senior solicitor Roger Mackenzie, with both men taking up their new posts in January.

Douglas Connell, joint senior partner, hopes to double the size of the firm's family law practice. He said: "We have an ambition and expectation that our family law business in Glasgow has the capacity to grow to become equivalent to the business based in Edinburgh.

"We see Noel and Roger's recruitment as very much part of that process. We have been greatly encouraged by the response we have received in Glasgow and there is clearly a big appetite for the type of service Turcan Connell gives."

Mr Ferry is said to specialise in high-net-worth divorces, pre-nuptial agreements and child relocation cases and is a committee member of the Family Law Association of Scotland.

Mr Mackenzie tutors in family law at Glasgow University and is co-editor of the Family Law Association Bulletin.

They will both work alongside head of family law Alasdair Loudon.

Mr Connell reiterated his stance that the firm is not looking at mergers as a route to growth.

He added: "We have a plan to build up our team in Glasgow in what I would regard as a series of well planned steps. We are here for the long term and everything is carefully considered. We are not in any hurry but we will implement our growth plans ahead of any need.

"There is a great deal to be said for highly selective lateral hires if you get the right people."

Turcan Connell opened in Glasgow in September and has offices in Edinburgh, London and Guernsey.

It has grown from 50 people when it was founded in 1997 to more than 300 today.