Gloucester-based Davies and Partners Solicitors has merged with Iacopi Palmer Solicitors.

Davies and Partners says the move enhances its leading position as a provider of legal services in Gloucester and its national reputation in medical negligence and Court of Protection.

Davies and Partners, which also has offices in Birmingham, Bristol, London and North Devon, employs over 140 staff.

Iacopi Palmer, which celebrated its 20th anniversary last year, has developed a strong reputation in the Gloucester area and a national profile for its medical negligence work.

Iacopi Palmer's team, including founder and deputy district judge, Christine Iacopi, joined Davies and Partners earlier this month.

Davies and Partners has one of the UK's leading medical negligence departments and is also renowned for its specialist work in Court of Protection.

The team from Iacopi Palmer will strengthen the firm's work in and around Gloucester and providing additional skills and experience to Davies and Partners' medical negligence and Court of Protection departments.

Ewan Lockheart, Davies and Partners chief executive, said: "We are delighted to welcome Iacopi Palmer. There are several synergies between the two firms which make it a natural fit in our continued growth plans. Our roots have been in Gloucester for over 30 years and merging with a firm that has such a strong local presence is a great advantage.

"The additional skills in their team in medical negligence and Court of Protection, for which Davies and Partners already has an enviable national reputation, made the decision to merge an easy one."

The team at Iacopi Palmer said: "We are delighted to have joined Davies and Partners' team, as the firm shares similar values to our own and has a long history in the Gloucester area too. We are very much looking forward to working alongside fellow specialist lawyers in our field."