Grantham-based accountancy firm Duncan & Toplis has launched Duncan & Toplis Legal Services.

The new venture will be regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and will be able to undertake regulated activities as part of the Duncan & Toplis Group, which includes accountants and business advisers, wealth management, IT services and business turnaround support.

Working across a range of sectors, including manufacturing, agriculture, leisure and tourism, and property and construction, the new company will offer legal services for businesses and individuals in the East Midlands, with its headquarters based in Grantham.

The services will be available to existing clients of the group, as well as new clients, and will include all areas of company law such as deeds, company purchases and partnership agreements together with regulated private client work. This will offer clients a complete wraparound service.

Head of legal services at Duncan & Toplis, Graeme Hills, said: "Businesses are often looking for a range of services from one place of expertise, so it's great that we can work with individuals, teams and shareholders with not only the financial aspects of their business, but any legal processes too.

"Our teams of experts are highly skilled and trusted by our clients, so it is a very natural fit for us to work with them on a legal basis too. I look forward to working closely with our clients to provide a tailor made service that's going to enable them to take their businesses and investments to the next level."

The new business will complement Duncan & Toplis' existing probate services, which provides will writing services, succession planning and inheritance tax advice.

Joining the new Legal Services team is corporate lawyer, Paul Simpson. With 20 years in the legal profession, Paul will be carrying out a range of legal work as a corporate solicitor and company director, working closely with Duncan & Toplis' tax and probate teams to provide a range of services to clients.

Most recently, Paul was Associate Partner at Andrew & Co Solicitors in Lincoln. Paul will be working with clients across the East Midlands and further afield.

Adrian Reynolds, managing director at Duncan & Toplis, said: "Expanding our legal offering to our clients is a natural progression for Duncan & Toplis which will enable us to offer a seamless service for the businesses we work with. Our team of legal experts will provide businesses of all sizes, and their owners, with tailored advice to help them drive their business forward.

"We're delighted to have Paul on the team as we continue to build on the legal services that we offer. Our probate team does a great job in assisting individuals and families during very difficult times, and now we're looking forward to being able to extend our legal operation to support our clients through the opportunities and challenges that being in business presents."

To find out more about Duncan & Toplis Legal Services, go to www.duncantoplislegal.co.uk