History
From small seeds grow great things
Established in 1810, Hill Dickinson established itself as a major player in the shipping world, later acting for the Titanic and Lusitania shipping disasters.
In 1911 the firm’s Senior Partner, Norman Hill, received a knighthood for services to the Government, including services to shipping.
The following year the White Star Line, clients of the firm, invited Sir Norman and his wife to be their first class guests on the return maiden voyage of the 'Titanic' to New York. Sir Norman declined. Had he accepted, like so many of his friends and colleagues in the shipping industry, he may not have returned. There were 1317 passengers on board the Titanic, of whom 819 lost their lives. Claims followed both in the UK and the US and Hill Dickinson's Sir Norman Hill and William Goffey acted for the owners. With the assistance of Sir Norman’s brother, Maurice Hill QC, they also represented the owners at the wreck enquiry.
Deep roots
The oldest part of the firm dates back to the practice of Edward Morrall, who started as a sole practitioner in Shropshire around 1808. He moved to Liverpool and set up in partnership with Richard Radcliffe in 1813. Morrall left in 1815 and Radcliffe set up in partnership with G J Duncan in 1821. In 1865, the firm was joined by John Edward Gray Hill, later to become a President of both Liverpool Law Society and the National Law Society. John Dickinson joined in 1874 and the firm became known as Duncan Hill & Dickinson. The Duncan part of the name was dropped in 1879, upon the retirement of Henry Cairncross Duncan.
The second branch of the firm dates back to Herbert John Davis and John Clarke, who set up in partnership in 1892. In 1927, the firm was joined by Miss Edith Berthen, who was one of the first women to qualify as a solicitor. The firm, by then known as Davis Munro, amalgamated with Campbell & Co in 1970. Hill Dickinson and Davis Campbell merged in 1990.
Branching out
In 2002, Hill Dickinson merged with Manchester practice Gorna and Co. The firm merged with Bullivant Jones in March 2004 creating one of the UK's leading law firms.
Green shoots
Hill Dickinson's strong foundations are integral to the firm's achievements to date. A top 40 player, with nearly 200 years experience, the firm has recently embarked on a new journey as Official Lawyers and first Official Partner to Liverpool 2008: European Capital of Culture, running until 2010, when we will also celebrate our 200th anniversary in business.