High profile Hull law firm Neil Hudgell Ltd returned to strong growth as fees increased by 13.6 per cent, latest results have revealed.
The firm, headed by The Law Society’s current Legal Personality of the Year, has been a leading force in the righting of the Post Office IT scandal, as well as a prominent firm at the Manchester Arena Bombing inquiry.
Fees hit £11.2 million, up from £9.8 million, with profits increasing 83 per cent from £753,000 to £1.38 million.
Read more: Pride at righting nationally-significant wrongs as a quarter of a century clocked up
Weeks after the period closed on March 31, 2021, the London office was sold for £1 million, having closed the Leeds office in the year, leaving the Fruit Market HQ and “prestigious St Peter’s Square, Manchester office” as physical bases. The latter was said to have “performed well in the year, and continues to grow in size and volume to reinforce Hudgell Solicitors’ northern presence”.
Neil Hudgell, sole director of his eponymous firm, said: “Neil Hudgell Ltd, in spite of the pandemic, managed to progress their clients’ cases, evidenced by year-on-year fee income growth of 13.6 per cent, a key performance indicator for the company.
“Focus has been on continued rationalisation of overheads, including the closure of the Leeds office and reinvestment in its people and technology.
“The business has concentrated on acquiring the relevant talent to lead its diversification in work streams and support the planned growth over the next three years.
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Ranking in Legal 500 and The Times Top 200 Law Firms was highlighted, as well as the personal awards, including Lawyer of the Year at the Yorkshire Legal Awards.
Hudgell is now celebrating a quarter of a century of legal support, with Mr Hudgell outlining how it is aiming to secure more nationally-significant casework.
“Whilst headwinds including the small claims reforms and future extension of fixed fees in personal injury and clinical negligence remain, the business’s diversification has created opportunities to offset any risks,” he said. “The civil liberties and personal injury teams have received national recognition for their work and are attracting quality work which will help to mitigate any adverse impact from fixed fees in other areas.”
He said the firm is well-placed to capitalise on the changes in the sector, as a “national leader in the run-off acquisitions market” and open to further purchases.
Staff numbers increased from 118 to 124 in the year, prior to the London sale - which could attract further money subject to case performance. Lime Solicitors swooped, with 17 staff understood to have moved across.