Halliwells' equity partners received a six-figure payout after agreeing a deal with developers on their new flagship Manchester office, it has emerged.

Equity partners are thought to have shared a multi-million pound payout, which was made on completion of the building in March 2007.

Separately, the firm itself is also thought to have received a lump sum payment, although Halliwells refused to comment on how much was paid either to partners or to the firm as a whole.

Halliwells' move to Spinningfields at the end of last year meant the consolidation of five offices and 700 members of staff into one location. The firm has been paying rent on the building since it moved in last December.

Managing partner Ian Austin commented: "There was an option to structure the deal in a way where there was an incentive which went into the business. Some benefit went into the business and to the equity partners.

"We did what we believed was most beneficial. You can do it in a whole host of ways but we took advice and this was the most tax efficient way."

Halliwells on the Legal Week Wiki