HCR Legal LLP – Wright Hassall Project

Project type: IT Strategic Review

 

HCR Legal acquired the majority of Wright Hassall LLP out of administration, while the firm’s Debt Recovery team separated to form QDR Solicitors. The transaction required immediate clarity around data, systems and supplier arrangements to enable both organisations to operate independently and prepare for full technical separation.

Our Role

Having previously worked with Wright Hassall to define its IT strategy and technology change programme, Baskerville Drummond was engaged to lead the data and systems workstream, providing strategic direction and hands-on oversight throughout the transition.

    Our Approach

    Phase 1 – Interim Separation within a Shared Environment

    The initial priority was to enable HCR and QDR to operate as separate businesses while continuing to utilise the same underlying infrastructure. We designed and oversaw the separation of systems and data within the existing environment, establishing appropriate ethical and operational boundaries. This enabled both firms to operate independently while the longer-term separation strategy was planned and implemented.

    Phase 2 – Data Transition and Full Separation

    Following stabilisation, we supported the definition of the relevant data sources and the approach  for separating and migrating systems and data into each organisation’s target environment. This phase also included defining and overseeing the programme to establish a new Azure environment for QDR and migrate applications from the existing on-premises Wright Hassall environment into the new cloud platform.

      About HCR Law

      HCR Law is an expert legal firm that delivers results. With over 1,000 staff across 13 offices in England and Wales, they provide legal support to both businesses and individuals in Birmingham, Cambridge, Cardiff, Central England, Cheltenham, Hereford, Leamington Spa, London, Norwich, Shrewsbury, Thames Valley, Worcester, and the Wye Valley.

      Their Lexcel accreditation (the Law Society’s rating for excellence) and Investors in People status acknowledges that they are dedicated to delivering excellent client care and high-quality service, whatever your legal issue. 

      Phase 3- Novation Support

      Martin worked closely with HCR, QDR and Quiss Technology in a combined project management, support analyst and data analyst capacity to coordinate the practical separation of systems, data and equipment between the organisations.

      This included:

      • overseeing the migration and subsequent deletion of all QDR-owned data from the HCR estate;
      • managing the logging and reconciliation of retained and returned IT equipment; and
      • coordinating the collection and return of hardware required by HCR.

      Martin also led the analysis of non-client data within the HCR NetDocuments environment, working with stakeholders across the firm to identify retention requirements before migrating approved content into the HCR iManage and file share estate. 

      Through detailed analysis and stakeholder engagement, the volume of retained data was reduced by more than two-thirds, delivering a significant reduction in ongoing storage and management costs within the HCR environment.

        What We Delivered

        • Data scope and prioritisation – identified which Wright Hassall data sets needed to transfer into the HCR environment to support ongoing operations.
        • Data flows and migration approach – designed the migration approach for transferring data from Wright Hassall systems into HCR’s existing platforms, aligned to operational and business requirements.
        • Historical documents strategy – advised on practical options for handling legacy and archived documents, balancing accessibility, compliance and cost.
        • QDR separation oversight – coordinated the technology separation of the QDR business, aligning and managing multiple third-party suppliers.
        • Azure platform design and transition – designed the Azure architecture for QDR and supported the novation of systems and data into a standalone environment.

        Outcome

        • HCR successfully integrated the required Wright Hassall data into its existing systems with minimal disruption.
        • QDR launched as an independent firm on its own Azure platform, fully separated from HCR infrastructure.
        • Both organisations achieved a controlled transition during a period of significant commercial and operational pressure.

        “HCR Legal LLP engaged Baskerville Drummond to support the Wright Hassall merger during a period of significant business and technical change. Having worked closely with Wright Hassall prior to the merger, Baskerville Drummond brought valuable insight and continuity, alongside strong technical expertise, effective leadership and clear strategic direction aligned to the needs of the business.

        Throughout the engagement, we felt fully informed, and the team consistently delivered on their commitments efficiently and in a timely manner.

        They were highly responsive and worked closely with us to manage the migration and integration activity in a controlled, structured and effective way. Their flexible and agile approach added real value in a complex and fastmoving environment.

        Working with David and Martin was a pleasure; both were highly capable, supportive and made a meaningful contribution to the overall success of the merger.

        Tara Bamford

        IT Director, HCR Legal LLP

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