RollOnFriday understands that Davenport Lyons and Shakespeares are merging.

It would represent the latest in a string of acquisitions by Shakespeares. The firm, headquartered in Birmingham, bolted on Leicester firm Marrons and Coventry-based Newsome Vaughan earlier this year. With the addition of West End firm Davenport Lyons it will be adding around 58 fee earners to its London operation.

A Shakespearean lyon terrifying passersby yesterday

The details of the merger are not yet known. Davenport Lyons has had less than stellar financials recently, and earlier this year it closed its TV and film department with the loss of four jobs. It was also planning to halve its trainee intake from eight to four in 2015.

Shakespeares' communications chief was unavailable for comment and a spokeswoman for Davenport Lyons declined to comment.

Read more on Friday.