Irwin Mitchell is planning to buy up books of personal injury (PI) work  from other law firms in response to the Government's overhaul of the low-value claims system and its impact on PI profit margins. 

The firm hopes to acquire business from firms that may find themselves squeezed out of the market by the reform, which includes plans to cut fixed fees for claims processed via the new Claims Portal – previously known as the Road Traffic Accident Portal – from £1,200 to £500. 

The overhaul comes as the Jackson litigation reforms introduced in April are also likely to reduce work flows. 

Irwin Mitchell has been contacting those ranging from large firms with small PI businesses to niche PI players in an attempt to negotiate a price for their portfolios. It is not clear if it has yet made any acquisitions. 

Managing partner of Irwin Mitchell's personal injury division Stuart Henderson told Legal Week: "[The overhaul] has made it increasingly difficult for firms to make any real profit unless work is carried out in large quantities on an economy of scale basis. 

"Some of the larger firms where PI makes up a small part of its business have indicated their readiness to move away from the market, while some smaller firms are also being challenged. We have widely circulated a proposition to buy these firms' PI book of business to help them out and increase our market share."

The plans come after Irwin Mitchell and Manchester firm Pannone last week moved to distance themselves from mounting speculation that they have been in talks over a potential £240m tie-up. 

Pannone managing partner Emma Holt rejected the notion of merger talks, while partners within Irwin Mitchell also distanced their firm from any such discussions.