LDC has acquired a 45% stake in Harper James, a fully remote UK-based law firm, as part of a strategic move to accelerate digital transformation and fuel expansion.

The private equity firm, backed by Lloyds Banking Group, will support Harper James in scaling its AI capabilities, expanding service offerings, and hiring senior legal talent.

Founded in 2014, Harper James operates through a network of over 140 lawyers and legal professionals across the UK, all working remotely. The firm’s model eliminates overhead associated with traditional office space, allowing it to deliver high-quality legal services at competitive rates. Its lawyers average 17 years of experience.

The firm has shown rapid financial growth, with revenue rising by an average of 33% annually over the past three years. Its net current assets tripled to £1.44m in the year ending September 2024. The LDC deal is expected to position Harper James for the next phase of expansion, including potential M&A activity. The transaction remains subject to approval by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

As part of the investment, Steve Weller will join Harper James as non-executive chair. Weller brings experience from other private equity-backed legal ventures, including The Barrister Group.

“This partnership with LDC is a major milestone in our mission to make expert legal advice more accessible and affordable for ambitious businesses,” said Toby Harper, founder and CEO of Harper James. “From our very first meeting, the team at LDC has shown a genuine understanding of our culture and vision.”

Chris Handy, partner and head of the West Midlands at LDC, said, “Harper James’ innovative model, people-first culture, and commitment to delivering flexible, high-quality legal services make it a standout firm in a fast-evolving market.”

LDC has invested £644m in 29 companies over the past decade and holds stakes in legal sector players including Keoghs and The Barrister Group.

If you think we missed any important news, please do not hesitate to contact us at news@pe-insights.com.

Can`t stop reading? Read more.