Horwich Farrelly

It was the first time such an action had succeeded and the defendant was jailed for six months.

One advantage of being an insurance litigation specialist is that, even in recessionary times, clients tend not to shy away from going to court.

“We’re one of the lucky ones,” admits chief ­executive Anthony Hughes. “We’re not dependent on the market trends. The ­commercial law sector’s been hurt because people couldn’t afford to fight. But insurers won’t pay every claim just because we’re in a downturn. The sector’s actually remained static, but because everything else is flagging it looks buoyant.”

In 2010 Horwich Farrelly established a base in Sheffield to ­complement its offices in Manchester and ­Chelmsford. The firm, which was founded in 1969, does not handle non-contentious work, ­specialising instead in representing insurers in ­disputes with third parties and policyholders.

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.

Hughes, who was managing partner at Ricksons before its merger with DWF in 2007, has a vision for his firm as a multidisciplinary business.

“We’re now looking at our options in terms of the Legal Services Act and alternative business ­structures,” he reveals. “We want to make sure we’re in a position to offer more services to insurers within the claims process.”

Chief executive: Anthony Hughes

Turnover: £20m

Number of partners:11

Number of lawyers:63

Number of fee-earners:172

Number of offices:Three

Locations:Chelmsford, Manchester, Sheffield

Main practice areas:Claimant personal injury, fraud, ­insurance litigation

Key clients: Admiral Group, Brit Insurance, esure