Three partners have quit Halliwells' Manchester office, it has emerged.

Corporate partners James Sheridan and Frank Shephard and intellectual property partner Craig Chaplin have all resigned from the firm's partnership. A Halliwells spokesman confirmed the resignations.

The three partners handed in their resignation earlier this month. The trio are believed to be joining DWF in Manchester.

The Manchester-based Halliwells has seen a number of departures this year. Employment partner Michael Burns this month left to join DLA Piper in Manchester, while commercial disputes partner Marko Kraljevic joined Clyde & Co in July.

It also emerged today (17 September) that Halliwells has held merger discussion with Manches. The two firms' management have held several meetings about a possible tie-up over the last few months, although it is unclear if the talks are expected to lead to a merger.