Two prominent Kent law firms are to merge.

Vertex Law LLP, based in Kings Hill, West Malling, and Cripps Harries Hall LLP, with offices in Tunbridge Wells and London, have confirmed they will be merging at the end of September.

This year’s Kent and Medway Legal Sector Review named Vertex Law the county’s number one “rising star” among law firms, predicting “great things in 2013,” while Cripps Harries Hall was described as a “powerhouse.”

The combined business will have 45 partners and 260 staff. A decision on the name of the merged operation will only be made after a re-branding exercise. For the time being, each firm will operate under its present name from existing premises.

The partners believe the combined firm will have a stronger position in the Kent legal market and an increased reach across London and the south east. Philip Cunningham, former managing partner at Brachers, the Maidstone-based law firm, is expected to join the merged business.

Cripps’ managing partner Gavin Tyler said: “I am really excited at the prospect of this merger. We have been looking to grow and this merger with Vertex Law is one that makes a lot of sense to us. Their practice complements ours perfectly: it allows both firms to boost their expertise, doubles the size of our current corporate and commercial practices and provides a better balance to our key practices in Real Estate, Private Client and Corporate.

“The Vertex Law partners and staff have an entrepreneurial client base and approach, operating in the same or complementary sectors to ours, including technology and healthcare”.

James Beatton, one of the founders of Vertex Law in 2004, said: “The two firms are a very good match and share the same values. Vertex benefits from Cripps Harries Hall’s greater presence in London and the South East; in return we bring our strong position in the Kent commercial market as well as our unique culture and the value we place on innovation, staff empowerment and customer service.

“Both firms share similar strategic goals and are financially robust, so pooling our resources makes complete sense and establishes a strong basis for further regional growth”.

Vertex Law was formed nine years ago to serve corporate clients. It grew rapidly and now employs 47 staff.

Both firms scored highly in the 2013 edition of Chambers, the national guide to lawyers and law firms. Between them, the two firms received top rankings in 17 different categories, with Cripps Harries Hall coming first in 13 and Vertex Law in five.