Blake Lapthorn Linnell has sealed its merger deal with 20-partner London firm Tarlo Lyons – creating a major regional practice on the cusp of the UK top 50.

It was confirmed this week that partners at the two practices have formally voted through an agreement, in principle, to forge a 110-partner regional firm with offices in Southampton, Winchester, Oxford, Fareham, Portsmouth and London and combined revenues of more than £43m.