ANDERSON Fyfe has become the latest Scottish law firm to enter into a merger.

It expects to formally seal an agreement with Bristol-based TLT at the start of July in a move that will create a firm with a £48 million turnover, 80 part-ners and 750 employees.

The deal will complete TLT's geographic coverage of the different legal jurisdictions in UK and adds to offices in London and Belfast. All 45 Anderson Fyfe staff and eight partners from the Glasgow and Edinburgh offices will transfer over with the firm rebranding as TLT.

Tom McEntegart, Anderson Fyfe managing partner, will become operational managing partner for TLT in Scotland. The merger has been driven by clients looking for one firm to handle legal requirements across the UK.

TLT gets more than 40% of its income from financial services clients, while Anderson Fyfe specialises in recoveries for financial services businesses.

Mr McEntegart, a solicitor advocate, said the merger would provide opportunities to grow the business in Scotland in a number of areas.

He said: "This merger is a good strategic move by both firms to enhance our client service delivery, strengthen our relationships with clients, and to grow our market share.

"This is not growth for growth's sake. It is about achieving a level of scale whereby we can continue to compete successfully in the market. By combining our strengths and our resources, we strengthen our position in the legal market."

David Pester, TLT managing partner, said: "Through a merger with Anderson Fyfe – a well-managed business with strong financials and which shares TLT's vision and enjoys a similar working culture – the combined firm can deliver efficiencies to clients who are looking for a UK-wide solution to the delivery of litigation services."

This year there have been several mergers involving Scottish firms including McGrigors and Pinsent Masons, Andersons and DAC Beachcroft and Fyfe Ireland and Tods Murray.

Legal experts have suggested further consolidation is inevitable as commercial pressures in the sector continue to bite.