Farleys seals deal for historic practice

A law firm is expanding its presence in Lancashire with the acquisition of a historic practice dating back more than 200 years.

Farleys Solicitors, part of legal services group Lawfront, has bought Clitheroe-based Houldsworth Solicitors.

Founded in 1817, Houldsworth has built a longstanding reputation in Clitheroe and the wider Ribble Valley, providing legal services to individuals, families and businesses.

All employees will be retained following the deal, providing continuity for existing clients while giving the team access to Farleys’ wider expertise and resources.

Amanda Hall, managing director at Houldsworth Solicitors, said: “We are very pleased to be joining Farleys, a firm which shares our commitment to providing practical, personal legal advice to clients across Lancashire.”

“Houldsworth has been part of the Clitheroe and Ribble Valley community for generations, and it was important to us that any move protected the relationships we have built with our clients while creating new opportunities for our team.

“Becoming part of Farleys allows us to continue delivering the local service our clients know and trust, while giving them access to a broader range of expertise and resources as their needs evolve.”

The deal builds on Farleys’ recent expansion across the region and forms part of its strategy to grow through investment in established local practices.

It follows the acquisition of Mulderrigs Solicitors in Rawtenstall in 2023 and Wigan-based Alker Ball Healds in 2025, further strengthening Farleys’ offering across the Ribble Valley and extending its North West footprint.

Ian Liddle, managing partner at Farleys Solicitors, added: “We are delighted to welcome the Houldsworth Solicitors team to Farleys.

“Retaining the full team was extremely important to us, both to protect the trusted relationships Houldsworth has built with its clients and to ensure a smooth transition for everyone involved.

“We’re a proud Lancashire firm and this acquisition allows us to strengthen our presence in the area while protecting the local relationships and personal approach that clients value.

“With the support of Lawfront, we will continue to invest in our people, our services and our regional footprint.”

Peter Martin-Simon, chief executive of Lawfront, added: “At Lawfront, we back our regional firms to accelerate their growth ambitions and are thrilled to be supporting Farleys in this third acquisition since they joined the group in 2022.

“This is Lawfront’s 18th acquisition and is another positive demonstration of our commitment to investing in our firms and we are pleased to be welcoming Amanda and the team from Houldsworth Solicitors as they join our growth journey.”

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