Muckle

The last financial year, from 2011 to 2012, was one of growth for Newcastle firm Muckle as turnover broke through the £10m barrier. Revenue rose by 14 per cent to £10.6m and the firm recorded a net profit of £3.4m, giving it a margin of 32 per cent. Average profit per equity partner stood at a healthy £336,000.

The firm also increased headcount at all levels. The number of lawyers rose from 56 in 2010–11 to 57 in the last financial year, an increase that also saw Muckle grow the partnership by four. Ten of Muckle’s 27 partners are in the equity. The increase in partnership numbers means that revenue per partner dropped slightly year on year, from £404,000 to £393,000.

Muckle’s work is predominantly corporate and property based, with each of these practice areas representing around a third of turnover. General commercial practices make up the remaining third.

Muckle had borrowings of £1.35m at the last year-end, a very slight increase on the 2010–11 figure. The firm controlled 41,000sq ft of space costing £493,000.