Thu, 05 Feb 2026 | BUSINESS SALE
Clifton Ingram, a Wokingham-headquartered law firm with offices in Reading and Farnham, has acquired PainSmith Solicitors, a boutique law practice specialising in property litigation.
The strategic acquisition enhances Clifton Ingram’s offering, while also ensuring that PainSmith’s clientele continues to receive high levels of service and enabling a founder-led succession for the company.
The deal is said to build on Clifton Ingram’s existing landlord and tenant, strengthening its capacity to support landlords and property professionals in an environment facing increasing regulation.
PainSmith was founded in 2001 by Marveen Smith, who had begun her career in tax and accountancy before retraining in law. Despite not advertising, PainSmith has grown considerably since its founding, building a nationwide client base largely through word-of-mouth recommendations.
The firm has advised landlords, tenants, letting agents and other property professionals across England and Wales for more than two decades, as well as serving international clients operating in the UK.
Marveen Smith commented: "I have always believed in doing one thing well. Landlord and tenant law is highly specialised, and clients need advice they can understand and act on. Joining Clifton Ingram allows us to continue delivering that same service, giving clients access to a broader range of legal expertise when they need it."
Jonathan Foulds, Managing Partner and Head of Commercial Property at Clifton Ingram, added: "Landlord and tenant law has become increasingly complex over recent years. Clients need advice that is not only technically sound but also practical and commercially realistic. Bringing PainSmith into Clifton Ingram allows us to offer exactly that, alongside our wider dispute resolution, property and other legal services."
Foulds added that PainSmith was “an outstanding specialist practice” and that Clifton Ingram would focus on preserving what had built the company’s success, while providing “the scale and infrastructure of a larger firm.”
The UK legal sector offers ample opportunity for mid-sized firms to grow through M&A
This highly profitable law firm located in Greater Manchester boasts a turnover of £1 million, presenting a robust investment opportunity for potential buyers.
Discover a highly distinctive mortgage network with approximately 110 advisers and an impressive growth model attracting 30-40 new advisers annually.
This is an exclusive opportunity to acquire a South Wales IFA business with substantial assets under management, offering a stable, recurring income stream.
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