UK shipping law firm Thomas Cooper rejected mergers with rivals to pursue a tie-up with Penningtons Manches, which had no maritime expertise.

The tie-up between the international specialist and the top 50 legal company was announced on Wednesday, with the new company to be known as Penningtons Manches Cooper.

Darryl Kennard, head of shipping at Thomas Cooper, told TradeWinds that his team will likely be moving from their own City headquarters to the Penningtons offices near St Paul's by the end of the summer, although nothing has been definitely agreed.