Lawfront Files £2.4 Million Claim Against Former Slater Heelis Partners Following Acquisition

Private equity-backed legal services group Lawfront has commenced High Court proceedings against five former partners of Slater Heelis, seeking approximately £2.4 million in connection with its 2024 acquisition of the North West law firm. The defendants have rejected the allegations and confirmed that they intend to contest the claim.

The proceedings have been brought against former Slater Heelis Managing Partner Chris Bishop and partners Simon Wallwork, Chris Partington, Mark Heptinstall, and Will Henson. According to reports, Lawfront alleges that profits generated by Slater Heelis’ Court of Protection practice were materially overstated before the transaction, resulting in the business being valued at a level higher than its true worth.

Neither Lawfront nor Slater Heelis has publicly commented on the substance of the litigation. However, Mark Fairclough of Eleven Law, who represents the five defendants, confirmed that his clients categorically deny the allegations. He stated that while detailed comment would be inappropriate given the ongoing High Court proceedings, the defendants “entirely reject the allegations” and will defend the claim robustly. Fairclough further noted that, for those defendants who continue to work at Slater Heelis, it remains “business as usual.”

Following the acquisition, Simon Wallwork and Will Henson continue to be listed as partners on the Slater Heelis website, while Chris Bishop now serves as a consultant partner. Mark Heptinstall and Chris Partington have since left the firm.

Lawfront, which is backed by the Blixt Fund, a Cayman Islands-based private equity investor, has expanded rapidly through acquisitions since its establishment. The group entered the legal market in 2021 with the acquisition of Farleys Solicitors and has since acquired several regional firms across England. Its latest published accounts reveal that it spent approximately £70 million on acquisitions during the 2024–25 financial year, including the purchase of Trethowansfor an initial consideration of £34.2 million.

The acquisition of Slater Heelis was completed in May 2024, when Lawfront acquired 100% of the firm’s issued share capital in a transaction valued at £18.5 million. The deal comprised £12.2 million in cash, £2.9 million in ownership interests, and £2.6 million payable over the following five years. At the time of the acquisition, Slater Heelis reported tangible fixed assets of £438,000, intangible assets of £2.8 million, and £9.6 million in amounts owed to the firm.

Announcing the acquisition last year, Lawfront Chief Executive Neil Lloyd described the transaction as further validation of the group’s strategy of supporting management teams, preserving established client-facing brands, and strengthening the long-term prospects of acquired firms.

The legal dispute has nevertheless prompted wider discussion about private equity investment in the legal sector. Adil Taha, a strategy specialist and adviser to law firms, described the proceedings as a potentially damaging development for private equity-backed consolidation, suggesting that the litigation could undermine confidence and trust in future acquisitions. The High Court proceedings remain ongoing, with the allegations yet to be determined.