The US law firm has sued Vantis for £431,000 in unpaid fees relating to major work it undertook for the accountancy firm in recent years, including advisory services for its 2005 acquisition of Numerica and the subsequent sale of a number of Numerica offices.

‘We’re sure it will be sorted,’ said one source close to Vantis, mentioning the likelihood of a settlement of the matter rather than litigation. The law firm has received £75,000 in fees relating to its work, according to reports.

Vantis confirmed discussions were ongoing. ‘The parties are in dialogue to agree this matter,’ said a spokesman.

The £16m Numerica purchase in May 2005 saw Vantis agree to sell the acquired firm’s offices in Bristol, Southampton and Manchester to BDO Stoy Hayward for £12.1m.
At the time Vantis chief executive Paul Jackson said the deal would enable his firm to win larger clients.

Vantis has driven growth in recent years through an aggressive series of deals.