Irwin Mitchell has launched a new base in Bristol focusing on personal injury (PI) and clinical negligence work.

The office, which will service the southwest region, will be headed up by new regional managing partner John Peacock.

Personal injury specialist Peacock is set to relocate from the firm's Birmingham office, where he has been based for the last 14 years. He will be joined by clinical negligence associate Julie Lewis.

Irwin Mitchell has not decided on an official launch date but expects to be up and running within the next few months. The firm has secured office space of 4,884 sq ft, giving the firm enough room for 27 legal and support staff.

The opening gives the national firm its tenth office alongside seven in the UK and two in Malaga and Madrid.

The firm said it expects to recruit locally to build out the new office.

National managing partner John Pickering commented: "Our strategy of investment in strategic growth in this important region, exemplified by the opening of this office, is evidence of our commitment to offering the very best legal services to our clients and the communities we serve."

Peacock added: "For many years we have provided specialist services to personal injury clients in Bristol and across the southwest – from our Midlands office in Birmingham. We have many clients in the region and having a permanent base here in the southwest is a logical consolidation of our position in the market here.