TWO North Yorkshire law firms are merging.

Kinread Solicitors, of High Skellgate, Ripon, is merging with Barber Titleys, of Harrogate.

William Kinread, 49, joins Barber Titleys as a partner and member of the management team.

Barber Titleys will lease the 700sq ft Ripon office, owned by Mr Kinread, and he will have use of their Harrogate office.

Richard Davies, managing partner of Barber Titleys, said: “This is a joining of complementary strengths which will benefit all our clients and staff.”

Mr Kinread trained with a national law firm in Leeds and was a partner in a Ripon practice for 15 years before starting his own in 2005.

He carries out commercial and residential conveyancing in the UK and private client work in North Yorkshire.

Mr Kinread said: “This move is also very good news for my clients who will benefit from the wider range of legal skills the enlarged team can provide.”

Barber Titleys, is one of Harrogate’s longest-established law firms, with local and national clients.