DAC Beachcroft has hired a six-partner insurance team from DWF in Newcastle.

The 11-strong team focuses on casualty claims work. It works for insurers in connection with personal injury, fraud and abuse claims.

Rod Searl, DWF's head of occupational health and casualty in Newcastle, is the lead partner in the group.

The other partners moving are David Drewe, Andrea Ward, Sue Howes, Shaun O'Neill and Nicola Hyam.

Mark Douglas, a director at DWF, will also join DAC Beachcroft as a partner in the 11-strong team.

The group will join DAC Beachcroft's volume insurance arm, the Claims Solutions Group.

Craig Dickson, CEO of the Claims Solutions Group, said: "The team brings with it a wealth of experience, a stellar reputation with clients in our key markets and will also benefit from the clear synergies with our industry-leading health and social care practice."

The firm's managing partner David Pollitt said: "This is a terrific move all round and one that will bring significant benefits to our business in Newcastle and beyond.

"We have an enviable reputation for making strategic team acquisitions like this work well for us and, specifically, for our clients and I fully expect this move to be no different."

DAC Beachcroft is currently planning to tie up with a local firm in Malaysia and has made an application to Malaysian regulators to enter a joint venture.

DWF, meanwhile, has today added three new partners as its merger with Bristol-based insurance litigation boutique Fox Hartley takes effect.

A spokesperson for DWF said the firm "continues to have one of the UK's largest and most successful occupational health and casualty teams", with clients including RSA, Zurich and QBE Insurance.

She added: "Our personal injury and wider insurance capability continues to develop across the UK and internationally, in response to growing client demand for a more innovative approach to legal services."