Capita expands legal market presence with Eclipse acquisition

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Ough: next stage of growth

The march of outsourcing giant Capita plc into the legal market continued today with its acquisition of well-known case management software provider Eclipse Legal Systems.

Capita’s involvement in the law already includes a law firm – having bought Optima Legal and its costing subsidiary Cost Advocates – a legal process outsourcing service based in Poland, and a medical reporting division, along with a range of services for the police and wider justice system.

Eclipse provides software and services to over 20,000 legal professionals across the legal profession, with clients including Eversheds, Co-operative Legal Services, Carillion plc and various QualitySolicitors firms.

Sean Massey, managing director at Capita Justice and Technology Solutions, said: “The acquisition of Eclipse, the second acquisition of a private sector software provider in the last four months, will further enhance our range of solutions for the professional services market.

“Capita is looking forward to working with the experienced and dedicated team in Bradford, supporting Eclipse’s continued growth and developing innovative software and solutions that will meet the challenges its customers face.”

Steve Ough, founder and chief software architect at Eclipse, said: “By joining the Capita family we are putting in place the next stage of growth plans, building on our success and enabling us to further our expansion in the most effective way.”

Eclipse has over 150 employees based in Bradford, generating a turnover of £9m. The current management team is staying in place and an Eclipse spokesman said it was “business as usual”.