Horwich Farrelly

Turnover (£m): 20
RPL (£k): 317

Manchester-based Horwich Farrelly makes it debut in The Lawyer UK 200 Annual Report with a turnover of £20m. The 11-partner firm specialises in representing insurers in disputes with third parties and policyholders. Its blue-chip client list includes Admiral Group, Aviva, Brit Insurance and Esure.

Horwich Farrelly is well-suited for the ­opportunities presented by the Legal Services Act, with many of the firm’s peers investing in complementary claims-handling services for their insurer clients. Chief executive Anthony Hughes is currently assessing how best to move forward. Hughes, who was managing partner at Ricksons before its merger with DWF in 2007, is keen for the firm to increase its profile. At the beginning of 2010 Horwich Farrelly opened an office in Leeds as part of its concerted effort to increase turnover by 25 per cent.

The firm is divided into four sectors: general litigation, which handles everything from ­traffic accidents to significant injuries; fraud; a specialised costs department; and a claims-handling business.