Law Firms

Osborne Clarke

Four more major UK firms post double-digit H1 growth

Author: charlotte.edmond@legalweek.com

Published: 15/11/2007 02:15

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Four UK law firms — Clifford Chance (CC), Simmons & Simmons, Denton Wilde Sapte and Osborne Clarke — are the latest to announce double-digit turnover growth for the first half of the year.

Magic circle giant CC has reported an 18% rise in H1 turnover for 2007-08, taking its revenue for the period up to around £680m. The increase matches that of fellow magic circle firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and is slightly ahead of arch-rival Allen & Overy, which recorded a 16% increase in turnover.

At Dentons, revenue has increased by 10% over the six-month period, while profits jumped by 24%. Simmons, meanwhile, announced a fee income increase of 16% compared with the equivalent period last year. Both firms declined to cite exact figures, releasing only percentage increases. Last year Simmons posted full-year revenues of £250.6m, while Dentons managed £155.7m.

Osborne Clarke has seen income rise 18% over the half year, bringing it to a total of £46.5m for the period.

The figures are the latest in a slew of strong results posted by top UK firms despite the slowing markets. A number of practices, including Norton Rose, SJ Berwin, Bird & Bird, CMS Cameron McKenna and Nabarro, have all recorded increases of more than 20%.

However, City partners have warned of an uncertain forecast for the second half of the year and some firms have revised their budgets in anticipation of a downturn.

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