IT WAS a solid year of growth for Uxbridge's IBB Solicitors. Although nowhere near as dramatic as 2004-05's 27 per cent rise, the firm's 5 per cent revenue growth to £12.6m was based squarely on its core areas of premium-rate work such as property, corporate and commercial.

Indeed, the firm's four real estate groups - residential developments, plot sales, commercial development and property investment - together showed a 29 per cent increase on the previous year.

IBB's strategy is to continue growing these areas while targeting slower growth in its legal aid-based community legal services division.

Consequently, the firm's recruitment strategy has focused primarily on lawyers who can boost its core areas. Hires during the year included corporate head David Clark from Clarkslegal, banking specialist Colin Mattis from Shoosmiths, Juliusz Wodzianski from HBG Properties and media litigator Mark Lewis from Field Fisher Waterhouse.