Allen & Overy (A&O) is to increase the number of partners in its global dispute resolution practice by 50% over the next four years, as the group continues to grow its contribution to firmwide revenues.

The goal would take the team to 100 partners by 2016 and comes alongside a target to significantly increase the practice's contribution to firmwide turnover from its current figure of 15%. 

The plans form part of global disputes head Tim House's (pictured) new four-year strategy for the practice, which has been drawn up in recent months after House was handed his second four-year term in May. 

The increase in disputes partners is expected to be largely achieved through internal promotions, with Australia, Germany, Russia and the US set to see the biggest rise in partner numbers.

Expansion will be spread across all six core areas of the disputes practice: antitrust; banking, finance and regulatory; class actions; intellectual property; international arbitration; and regulatory investigations.

House said: "Over the past four years, we have increased revenues by nearly 70%, increased partner numbers by more than 20 and developed full-service practices in Australia, France, Germany and Spain as well as opening in Washington DC. That investment is continuing."

Magic circle peers Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Clifford Chance saw litigation contribute around 20% of firmwide revenues last year.