Bermans

What Bermans does

Bermans is a UK full-service commercial law firm headquartered in Liverpool with a second office in Manchester, founded in 1970 and operating under the legal entity Bermans Limited (SRA-regulated, company no. 3952758). It is 'Powered by MAPD' as part of the MAPD Group of aligned law firms, with 51–100 employees across two offices. The firm delivers partner-led legal services across thirteen practice areas, including corporate, commercial, litigation and dispute resolution, employment, property and construction, insolvency, IP/IT, licensing, private client, sport, and the firm's market-leading specialisms of asset finance and invoice finance (it is a founding affiliate of the ABFA and was named 'Best Receivables Finance Lawyer 2021'). Client segments span owner-managed SMEs, larger corporates, asset-based lenders and invoice finance providers, financial institutions, sports clubs and governing bodies, and high-growth technology businesses, with select mandates extending internationally via a global legal network.

The firm's core 'product' is professional legal services — billable hours, fixed fees for transactions, and retainers — delivered by partners, senior associates, solicitors, trainees and paralegals. No proprietary technology platform is disclosed; service delivery relies on traditional partner-led engagement through the Liverpool and Manchester offices, supplemented by sector-specific newsletters, thought-leadership content, and ecosystem engagement via BlockRocket, Bruntwood SciTech, and The Start Up Factory. Bermans holds ISO 9001, ISO 27001 and FSQS certifications (per its website footers), signalling quality, information-security and financial-services supplier standards. Revenue is generated through professional-services fees and is not publicly disclosed.

Recent strategic activity indicates active expansion: in April 2026 the firm relocated its Manchester office to a larger 4,300 sq ft space on a ten-year lease to accommodate headcount growth from 35 to 60+, alongside multiple senior hires in litigation, property finance, ABL, and corporate (May/June 2026) and the formalisation of a national Licensing practice (August 2025). The firm has acted on several mid-market M&A transactions including the sales of RoBAT to Mycronic, IPEC to ABB, Miric Engineering to Brennan Industries, and Direct Pump Services to Macquarie-backed Metcor Group.

Name

Bermans

Legal name

Bermans Limited

Website

https://bermans.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Bermans is a UK full-service commercial law firm headquartered in Liverpool with a Manchester office, serving owner-managed SMEs, corporates, asset-based lenders and high-growth technology businesses across thirteen practice areas including corporate, litigation, property, employment, insolvency, and its market-leading asset finance and invoice finance specialisms.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Legal Services

NAICS

Offices of Lawyers (541110), Legal Services (5411)

SIC

Services-Legal Services (8111)

akta.pro primary industry

Litigation Support & Expert Witness Services (BPAHALAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Litigation Support & Expert Witness (Valuation-Related) (BPAHANAG), Family & Private Client (Trusts & Estates) Law (BPAHAAAK), Business Valuation & Litigation Support (BPAHABAK)

Keywords

• Commercial legal services
• Asset finance law
• Invoice finance law
• Corporate transactions
• Litigation and disputes

Headquarters

HQ city

Liverpool

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Legal Services Fees: Bermans generates revenue through professional services fees charged to clients for legal advice across its practice areas including corporate transactions, litigation, property, employment, asset finance, invoice finance, insolvency, IP, and licensing law. Revenue is derived from billable hours, fixed fees for specific transactions, and retainer arrangements for ongoing client relationships.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Bermans is a full-service commercial law firm providing partner-led legal advice across thirteen practice areas including Asset Finance, Invoice Finance, Corporate, Employment, Property and Construction, Litigation, Insolvency, Creditor Services, Commercial, IP and IT, Licensing Law, Private Client, and Sport. The firm serves owner-managed SMEs, larger corporates, financial institutions, and sector-specific clients from offices in Liverpool and Manchester, generating revenue through billable hours, fixed fees, and retainer arrangements.

Product overview

Bermans is a full-service commercial law firm offering a comprehensive portfolio of legal services. The firm operates as a multi-practice law firm with specialist teams in Asset Finance and Invoice Finance (its market-leading specialisms), alongside Corporate, Employment, Property and Construction, Litigation, Insolvency, Creditor Services, Commercial, Intellectual Property and IT, Licensing Law, Private Client, and Sport. The practice areas work collaboratively to serve clients across the full business lifecycle, from startup advice through to major M&A transactions and dispute resolution. The firm is part of the MAPD Group of law firms and maintains offices in Liverpool and Manchester.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Asset Finance Specialist legal services for asset-based lending, covering fraud, freezing orders, title claims, and debt recovery for asset-based lenders. The firm is established as a market leader in this area since the 1980s.
• Invoice Finance Specialist legal advice on invoice finance arrangements and receivables management. Bermans is a founder affiliate of the ABFA (Asset Based Finance Association) and 'Best Receivables Finance Lawyer 2021'.
• Corporate Full-service corporate and commercial team advising on mergers and acquisitions, private equity and venture capital investments, reorganisations, joint ventures, incorporations, corporate governance, and employee share and incentive schemes.
• Employment Professional employment law advice including TUPE, collective consultation, trade union recognition, and Employment Tribunal matters, acting for clients across social housing, financial services, manufacturing, and leisure sectors.
• Property and Construction Commercial property transactions, construction law, planning matters, and property finance for developers, investors, fund managers, banks, and bridging loan companies.
• Litigation and Dispute Resolution Practical approach to resolving commercial disputes, including court proceedings, mediation, and alternative dispute resolution. The team handles commercial disputes including carriage of goods, Admiralty Court, and Commercial Court claims.
• Insolvency and Financial Rescue Advisory and transactional services for insolvency practitioners, corporates, and lenders on restructuring and new lending matters, with over 20 years' specialist experience in the team.
• Creditor Services Debt collection and creditor advisory services, including debt recovery lifecycle management for invoice finance providers, asset-based lenders, and SMEs. The Legal 500 ranks Bermans as a top tier firm for debt recovery.
• Commercial Advisory on commercial matters, partnership agreements, and charities law, with particular expertise in commercial contracts for the creative and tech sectors including software developers, platform providers, music publishers, and online retailers.
• Intellectual Property and IT IP and IT legal services including IP protection, licensing, commercial contracts, and GDPR compliance for technology companies.
• Licensing Law Specialist licensing services for hospitality operators including alcohol licences, entertainment licences, and premises licence applications across England, Scotland and Wales, plus compliance, risk management, variation of licences, and representation at licensing hearings.
• Private Client Legal services supporting individuals with personal affairs including wills, probate, trusts, and estate planning.
• Sport Specialist sports law services for players, clubs, agents, and governing bodies covering contracts, commercial and endorsement agreements, representation/promotional/management agreements, disputes, image rights, disciplinary matters, and sports regulations in football, rugby, cricket, and golf.
• International Legal Network International legal services network with partner firms covering North America, Far East, Europe, and globally to support cross-border transactions for UK-based clients.

Quantifiable outcome

• The Legal 500 recommended Bermans in 7 practice areas with 16 individually recommended lawyers.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• MAPD GroupcoreOthersBermans is part of the MAPD Group (MAPD Ventures Ltd), a collection of aligned law firms across the UK sharing the purpose of 'Making a Positive Difference'. The group was founded by Co-Founders Brian Cullen and Joanna Kingston-Davies. MAPD empowers member firms with support for growth, talent development, and business operations. Bermans is 'Powered by MAPD'.
• Camlee GroupcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCorporate finance firm Camlee Group acted as advisor on the sale of Direct Pump Services to Metcor Group, with Bermans providing legal advisory support alongside Gosschalks and RSM UK. Also advised on the Miric Engineering acquisition by Brennan Industries Inc.
• RSM UKminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAdvisory team supporting the Metcor Group acquisition of Direct Pump Services alongside Bermans, Camlee Group, and Gosschalks.
• GosschalksminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAdvisory team supporting the Metcor Group acquisition of Direct Pump Services alongside Bermans, Camlee Group, and RSM UK.
• DJH (Corporate Finance and Tax)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDJH provided corporate finance and tax advice alongside Bermans' legal advice on the sale of Manchester University spin-out IPEC to ABB.
• Myers La RochecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLongstanding and valued partner of Bermans specialising in helping independent opticians and healthcare practices to grow, acquire and sell independent practices. Has facilitated over £150m in deals. Bermans works alongside Myers La Roche on related legal matters.
• Bruntwood SciTechminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBermans is proud to be supporting Bruntwood SciTech's 'Manchester's Female Founders Incubator programme', supporting female entrepreneurs in the Manchester tech ecosystem.
• BlockRocketminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBermans sponsors the Blockchain Manchester Meetup hosted by BlockRocket. Jon Davage and the commercial/IP team regularly attend these meetups to engage with tech entrepreneurs and startups.
• The Start Up FactoryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGuy Remond and Ian Brookes from The Start Up Factory developed a book 'From the Factory Floor: We Build Tech Companies'. Jon Davage contributed a chapter on legal building blocks for tech startups. The firm distributes free copies of the book.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Weightmans: Weightmans is a UK commercial law firm of comparable size with strong insurance, defendant litigation, and creditor services practices, overlapping directly with Bermans' debt recovery and commercial litigation offerings for similar mid-market and institutional clients.
• Brabners: Brabners is a Northwest-focused full-service commercial law firm headquartered in Liverpool with a major Manchester office, competing head-to-head with Bermans for SME, corporate, property, and litigation mandates across the same regional client base.
• DWF Group: DWF is a UK-listed full-service commercial law firm with strong insurance, real estate, and litigation practices, comparable in scale and service mix to Bermans and competing for similar mid-market corporate and financial services clients.
• Freeths: Freeths is a UK full-service commercial law firm of comparable size to Bermans with strong corporate, real estate, employment, and dispute resolution practices, competing for similar mid-market and SME clients across multiple English regions.
• Hill Dickinson: Hill Dickinson is a Liverpool-headquartered full-service commercial law firm with a strong asset finance and marine/shipping practice, directly competing with Bermans in Northwest England for commercial, asset finance, and corporate mandates across similar client segments.

Broad incumbents

• TLT: TLT is a larger UK commercial law firm with deep practices in financial services, real estate, and corporate, offering overlapping capabilities to Bermans but serving a broader national client base across multiple UK cities.
• Kennedys: Kennedys is a global insurance and commercial law firm with strong creditor-side litigation and dispute resolution practices, competing with Bermans in debt recovery and commercial litigation but at materially larger scale across more jurisdictions.
• Addleshaw Goddard: Addleshaw Goddard is a major Manchester-headquartered UK commercial law firm with significantly broader scale, offering corporate, finance, real estate, and dispute resolution services that overlap with Bermans' practice areas but at a national/international level.
• Irwin Mitchell: Irwin Mitchell is a major UK full-service commercial and private client law firm with significant presence in the Northwest, offering overlapping corporate, employment, property, and dispute resolution services that compete with Bermans' full-service offering.
• Clyde & Co: Clyde & Co is a major international law firm with core strengths in insurance, commercial litigation, and asset finance — directly competing with Bermans' Asset Finance and Creditor Services practices but at significantly larger global scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/BermansLaw
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bermans

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bermans