Despite gloom and doom in the press about the recession, Bristol is set to expand as a growing legal market with significant news of expansion in January.

Co-operative Legal Services has announced that it is recruiting up to 150 new positions as it looks to set up as an ABS. Some of these positions will be in its new Family Law Unit based in London, but the majority will see an expansion of its operations in Bristol.

In another bright move, January sees Reynolds Porter Chamberlain opening an office in Bristol. Concentrating on insurance and reinsurance business, RPC’s opening in Bristol follows on its acquisition of a number of partners and lawyers from CMS Cameron McKenna. Initially, the office has a team of 28 people, including 11 lawyers and three Partners. Three further Partners and a Legal Director will be joining in March.

Meanwhile, recently Beachcroft merged with Davies Arnold Cooper to rebrand as DAC Beachcroft, Irwin Mitchell, who has a Bristol office, has announced the firm is applying for an ABS, and DAS, the legal insurer based in Bristol, acquired Bristol based Everything Legal Limited, which runs the Law on the Web information website. And of course, Bristol also welcomes Foot Anstey, who have opened up an office in the City.