Hedges Law Secures Backing to Invest in Oxfordshire Future

8 July 2026, Oxfordshire UK: Hedges Law, one of Oxfordshire's longest-established law firms, has secured backing from Henley-on-Thames private investment office, CKM3 as part of the launch of Oak Legal Group, a new professional services model designed to protect law firm legacies in a rapidly consolidating market. 

The deal marks the start of an ambitious buy-and-build strategy with Hedges Law the founding firm of the Group, designed to unite high-quality law firms around a commitment to people, culture and long-term growth. 

In contrast to traditional consolidation models, firms joining the Group will retain their brand, leadership and local autonomy, supported by collective investment, governance and operational expertise. 

Having served clients across the county for more than 230 years, the move to be part of the Group will enable Hedges Law to invest further in its people, technology and services while retaining its established name, leadership team and deep roots in the communities it serves. 

For clients across Oxfordshire and the Cotswolds, the arrangement means business as usual with decisions remaining local and the firm's Oxford, Chipping Norton and Wallingford offices continuing to serve individuals, families, farms, and businesses across the county. 

According to the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA), 532 UK law firms have closed in the 12 months to the end of February this year, a 13% rise from the same period last year. Over 60% have ceased practising, while the remaining have either merged or changed status as the sector continues to see rapid consolidation. 

As a completely new offering in the legal market, the Group’s unique model is attracting interest from law firms looking at future-proofing and legacy planning. Oak Legal will be led by entrepreneur Colm McGinley, a highly successful business owner and acquirer, alongside Nicola Poole and Rebecca Kashti, Directors at Hedges Law. 

Poole, who has led Hedges Law for 14 years, said the move represented “a deliberate step to build something fundamentally different in the legal market. 

"Hedges has been part of Oxfordshire life for more than two centuries and we are incredibly proud of that heritage. Our ability to evolve is what has allowed us to sustain and continue to serve our clients for multiple generations. What we are doing now is genuinely new.  

“This investment allows us to continue building on what makes the firm special while ensuring we remain well placed to support clients and communities across the county for many years to come.” 

Kashti adds: “We are not building for a short-term exit or pursuing growth at any cost. We are creating a platform of leading law firms that share the same values – where people and clients come first, and where culture is protected, not eroded.” 

Oak Legal is looking to partner with established firms in high-end locations with strong client relationships and high-performing teams. Following the completion of the Hedges’ acquisition, the Group has signed Heads of Terms with two further firms and is in advanced talks with several others. 

Poole continues: “We are seeing strong interest from firms that recognise the challenges and opportunities in today’s legal landscape and want to be part of something more sustainable. 

“Cultural fit is absolutely critical to us. We are not looking to acquire for the sake of it – we want to partner with firms who genuinely believe in the same approach to clients, people and long-term success.” 

McGinley adds: “The strategy is to establish a group that is ‘greater than the sum of its parts’. It’s about backing great businesses and great people, not imposing a template. Too often, founders are forced to choose between selling to consolidators or private equity models that don’t reflect what they have built. We believe there is a better way – one that protects legacy, supports teams, and creates long-term value.” 

For Poole, the deal represents the culmination of a long-term strategy: “I have led Hedges for over a decade, and this is the most exciting phase we have ever entered. We now have the opportunity to build a very special type of law firm – one that is commercially strong, but also deeply principled in how it treats its people and clients. This is about shaping the future of the firm, not just securing it so clients across Oxfordshire and the Cotswolds continue to have access to trusted legal advice from a firm that understands the local community.” 

Ends

Editors notes

Hedges, founded in 1789, has clients throughout the UK, with modern business hubs in Oxford, Wallingford, Summertown, Cotswold and London. It delivers ‘Advice for life’ supporting clients on all aspects of their lives: with family and property law advice, dispute resolution, as well as advising on wills, probate and inheritance planning.

As a firm Hedges truly believes in making a difference to clients' lives and doing so in a way that's just that little bit different from other law firms. Running through the heart of the business and defining every single thing it does is a set of values that keep the firm focused on really caring about its clients and about each other. In May 2021 the firm became only the fifth in the UK to be Employee-Owned.

https://www.hedgeslaw.co.uk