Weightmans, HBJ Gateley post revenue rises as Dickie Dees drops

A number of national practices have announced their financial results for 2009-10, as the firms ranked just outside of the top 50 attempt to break into the UK's leading band of law firms.

Weightmans and HBJ Gateley Wareing have both posted increases in revenues for the year, with the former announcing an 8.1% rise in turnover to £56.2m while the latter saw fee income increase by 5.3% to £49.6m, up from £47.1m the previous year.

Meanwhile, northeast firm Dickinson Dees saw revenues fall to £49.2m, a 5.6% decrease on the firm's performance in 2008-09, while Blake Lapthorn also saw a drop-off in turnover, reporting a 6.8% decrease from £48.3m to £45m.

Elsewhere, Scots firm Shepherd and Wedderburn posted an 8.7% increase in net profits from £7.5m to £8.2m, although revenues fell by 10.7% to £35.3m, down from £39.6m in 2008-09.

Shepherd chief executive Patrick Andrews (pictured) recently informed all staff that everyone who took 10 days' unpaid leave during the last financial year will receive a loyalty payback, with each employee receiving 50% of the salary foregone in exchange for the time off.

Andrews commented: "These figures are a credible result in what has been a challenging year. We begin the next financial year in good financial shape, with a strong balance sheet and no net borrowings."

The results, although unaudited and subject to change, present a mixed picture of the 2009-10 financial year, which has seen some firms emerge strongly while others have continued to struggle with the effects of the downturn.