Browne Jacobson is closing in on a merger with construction and insurance law firm Beale & Company, a deal that would create a UK top 50 firm with turnover of £82m.

Browne Jacobson, which posted revenue of £64m for 2015-16, has offices in Birmingham, Exeter, London, Manchester and Nottingham, while Beale & Company has bases in London, Bristol, Dublin and Dubai.

In a joint statement, Browne Jacobson managing partner Iain Blatherwick and Beale & Company senior partner Anthony Smith said: "We have been in discussions for some time and can now confirm that we have agreed heads of terms.

"Our practice areas are highly complementary and we believe there is a strong strategic and cultural fit. Over the coming months, further discussions will take place to agree the steps for bringing both firms together in a merger. No further comment will be made by either firm until those discussions have concluded."

Browne Jacobson's key sectors include brands, education, financial services, health, insurance, private sector, public, retail and technology. It has a total of 918 staff, including 115 partners, and was recently named on tier two of the UK government's central legal services panel.

Beale & Company, which has 22 partners, posted 2015-16 fee income of £14.7m.