DWF is set to bring in a 22-strong banking and finance team from Manchester firm Chafes Solicitors, with the acquisition coming within a week of the expansive UK firm announcing its latest merger – a union with professional indemnity law firm Fishburns.

The two-partner Chafes team, led by head of finance litigation John Perez and including partner Julia Williams, who has been heading Chafes debt and asset recovery team, will join DWF’s Manchester office on 1 February.