Richard BurnsTheodore Goddard’s (TG’s) merger talks with Addleshaw Booth & Co look almost certain to result in the effective takeover of the City firm by its national suitor, according to a poll of leading UK lawyers.

This week’s Legal Week/EJ Legal Big Question survey, which quizzed more than 100 leading lawyers on TG’s current merger talks, found a clear majority – 62% – thought that the deal was effectively a take-over of TG.