A former Charles Russell Speechlys partner who had been set to join Macfarlanes has now been hired by listed firm Keystone Law as part of a team move. 

Private client partner Ian Cooke joins Keystone alongside fellow former Charles Russell Speechlys partner Sakhjit Randhawa.

They will be joined by an associate and an executive assistant. Both Cooke and Randhawa specialise in high-value residential property deals in the prime and super-prime London market.

Cooke formerly led Charles Russell Speechlys' private property business for nearly 20 years, while Randhawa was at the firm for nearly 14 years, at one point overseeing the firm's private property practice in Hong Kong. 

Cooke had been set to move to Macfarlanes last year before the move fell through following what a spokesperson for the firm described as "personal reasons unrelated to Macfarlanes or any other law firm".

In a statement, Cooke said of his move: "This is an incredibly big but exciting step after two decades at CRS. Clients and introducers have been thrilled to hear of my and Sakhjit's move to such a dynamic, innovative and client-focussed firm and we believe our long-established client base will thrive and grow in our new home."