The proposed merger between Clyde & Co and Barlow Lyde & Gilbert is set to go to a vote by the end of July after Clydes' partnership indicated broad support 
for a tie-up.

Clydes' partnership conference in June saw partners given the chance to air their views about the potential tie-up as well as any concerns, with the majority coming out in favour of a deal.

The two firms have continued to carry out due diligence, with a deal now widely expected to be approved by both firms before August.

Clydes senior partner Michael Payton (pictured) said: "Following support from partners at our conference last month about our discussions, both parties are working hard to progress things before people break for the summer."

Clydes and Barlows have been in ongoing discussions since February this year, with the merger talks exclusively revealed by Legal Week 
on 3 June.

If the deal goes through, it will mark the largest-ever merger between two UK law firms, creating an insurance specialist firm with combined revenues of more than £300m.

Since details of the talks between Clydes and Barlows broke, news has also emerged that Beachcroft and Davies Arnold Cooper are in discussions over a merger, in a deal that would create an insurance rival ranked in the UK top 20 by revenue with combined fee income of 
around £175m.

Clydes also recently confirmed its entrance into the Canadian market through a merger with insurance boutique Nicholl Paskell-Mede, giving the firm two new bases in Montreal and Toronto.