New partner as solicitors merge with rival to offer improved service

Harrogate-based Barber Titleys has joined with Kinread Solicitors and will lease the Ripon firm's 700 sq ft office. William Kinread, 49, who set up the firm, joins Barber Titleys as a partner.

Richard Davis, managing partner of Barber Titleys, said: "This is a joining of complementary strengths which will benefit all our clients and staff.

"William Kinread, whom we have known for some time, has many clients in Harrogate and will now have an office in the town in which to meet them.

"Even though Ripon has its own law firms, we believe this move, based around a well-known and respected Ripon lawyer, will enable us to offer a wider choice of top-class legal skills to the community."

Kinread carries out commercial and residential conveyancing throughout the UK and private client work throughout North Yorkshire.

Mr Kinread said: "My practice has continued to grow throughout the credit crunch and recession. Work I have been unable to handle has been passed over to Barber Titleys and, when they saw the quality of this work, they approached me with the merger proposition and I was delighted to enter discussions."

Barber Titleys, which has 34 staff, offers private client and commercial work and specialises in planning law and commercial property. Kinread has five staff and carries out commercial and residential conveyancing and private client work.