ESSEX-based law firm Birkett Long LLP is continuing its expansion in the south of the county through a merger with Billericay solicitors E Edwards Son & Noice (ESN).

The merger will come into effect on May 1, with ESN proprietor Jane Orchard and other members of staff joining Birkett Long’s Basildon office, which opened in 2011.

Birkett Long managing partner Adrian Livesley said the merger further highlighted the firm’s commitment to business in south Essex.

Clients of ESN would be able to access the comprehensive range of legal and independent financial services offered at its offices in Colcheser and Chelmsford as well as Basildon, he added.

“We are delighted to be joined by E Edwards Son & Noice in what is a really exciting development for the Basildon office and Birkett Long as a whole,” said Mr Livesley.

“E Edwards Son & Noice has an excellent reputation and has looked after its clients with great professionalism over many years

“We understand that people have strong loyalty to their solicitors, so we’d like to assure E Edwards Son & Noice’s current clients that they will receive the same professional service when the two firms come together.”

ESN opened in Billericay in the late 1940s as a branch office of a large well-established East Ham firm of the same name. It later became an independent practice providing a full range of legal services. It works principally, but not exclusively, in private client fields with strength in wills trust and probate, property and family law areas.

Jane Orchard, who will become a consultant solicitor at Birkett Long, said: “Like us, Birkett Long is a long-established Essex firm and with their size and experience we are confident we will be able to offer a more extensive service to our clients, both individuals and businesses.

“Birkett Long, like us, regard the personal relationship with their clients of paramount importance and our clients will benefit from the merger.

“Birkett Long’s Basildon office at Phoenix House, Christopher Martin Road, is only 10 minutes from our current office. For those local clients who would find it difficult to travel or are housebound, I am more than happy to make home visits.”

The merger with ESN is Birkett Long’s fifth such deal in four years, with the firm having also joined forces with Jackson & Partners and Passmores in Colchester, Weight, Wolny and Trusler in Chelmsford and Brian Ruff, Angus and Jewers, which was based in Wickford, since 2009.