Turnover rise sees Eversheds post half-year figure of £184m

At the half-year point for the 2010-11 financial year turnover was £172.6m, a 3 per cent decrease on the same stage the year before.

This year’s £11.5m increase in turnover is accompanied by a £10m increase in net profit.

According to the firm the strongest practice areas were financial services litigation, which grew by 15 per cent, construction litigation, which grew by 23 per cent, competition, which grew by 22 per cent, and real estate environmental, which grew by 27 per cent.

The firm’s international operations also posted a rise in turnover, with revenue up 22 per cent.

“The last six weeks have slowed down a little bit, but with the uncertainty in the eurozone this is understandable,” said Eversheds chief executive Bryan Hughes. “But there’s still a pipeline of activity. What we’re hoping for is some kind of structured default for Greece and some more clarity with regards Italy, which would see more stability. If we get that then it might be that we get a return to activity in the new year.”

Hughes added that the firm was still looking to grow in the interim period.

“We’re looking at increasing our targeting in London,” he said. “In particular we’re looking to build our corporate M&A practice in London, and we’re also looking at some high-level real estate and litigation candidates. We’re also looking to grow in other parts of the world.”