Stephenson Harwood has posted one of the largest revenue boosts so far reported at the half-year point, with the firm recording a 17% increase on the same period last year.

The top 30 UK firm has recorded revenues of £49.6m for the first six months of the 2010-11 financial year, marking a 16.6% increase on the same stage last year when it took in £42.6m.

The firm said the rise came on the back of an exceptionally strong performance in its contentious practice, in addition to significant growth in the non-contentious practices.

The result comes after the firm grew revenues by 8% to post fee income of £91.9m at the end of the 2009-10 financial year. The increase meant that the firm climbed from 35th to 30th in Legal Week's annual top 50 ranking of UK law firms. However, average profits per equity partner fell 8% to £561,000 during the year.

Stephenson Harwood joins a number of top 50 UK firms to have posted positive results at the half-year stage so far, after Allen & Overy kicked off the reporting round earlier this month with a 3% revenue rise.

The magic circle firm was followed by other firms posting revenue rises, including Nabarro (3%), Norton Rose, (9%), Watson Farley & Williams (11%), DLA Piper (8.5%) and SJ Berwin (9%).

Meanwhile, Eversheds posted a 3% drop in half-year revenues yesterday (16 November), with fee income for the six-month period coming in at £172.6m.