A 230-year-old law firm is expanding into London for the first time with the takeover of another business.

Whitehead Monckton, which has offices in Canterbury, Maidstone and Tenterden, is due to acquire Docklands Solicitors in Canary Wharf next month for an undisclosed sum.

Two of the firms experienced lawyers, Alex Bak and Katie Broadfield, will move to the office in the capital once the deal is completed.

The new practice will continue to trade under the Docklands Solicitors brand.

Whitehead Monckton managing director Stephen Beck said: “We see this as a great opportunity to push on with the development of Whitehead Monckton, broadening our geographic coverage to take in this new exciting market.”

“We see this as a great opportunity to push on with the development of Whitehead Monckton, broadening our geographic coverage to take in this new exciting market...” - Stephen Beck, Whitehead Monckton

Whitehead Monckton is one of Kent’s longest running firms, with equally long-running clients. It has advised Kentstone Properties Limited since it was incorporated in 1862.

It took its present name after the amalgamation of Whitehead, Thomas & Urmston and Monckton Son & Collis in 1968.

The firm of Whitehead, Thomas & Urmston began in premises at 9 King Street by George Burr in about 1781.

Monckton Son & Collis evolved from a practice set up at the lower end of the High Street in Maidstone by John Monckton in 1825.

Pam Thomas, one of the founding partners of Docklands Solicitors, said: “We are really pleased to be joining Whitehead Monckton and able to offer the full range of services to our existing and future clients.

“Whitehead Monckton’s approach mirrors our own, which is so important for our future joint success.”