Addleshaw Goddard’s net debt climbed to £17.5m during the last financial year, according to accounts filed with Companies House which also show operating profit falling 4%, despite a slight uptick in turnover.

The firm’s accounts show net debt climbed 22% during the year ending 30 April 2014 from £14.3m to £17.5m, with the firm having drawn down £18m of bank loans compared with £17m the previous year.