UK200 2009
The Lawyer
Centre forward
The magic circle has its reputation, the regional players lower fees. What can the London mid-market draw on in these tough times? asks Luke McLeod-Roberts
Cost of living
Cutting costs has been the theme of the past financial year as the national firms struggle to come to terms with the economic uncertainties. By Julia Berris
Cover up
Insurance has remained robust despite the economic downturn, but the coming year will really test firms’ mettle, says Katy Dowell
Crow Bar
While law firms are struggling, many barristers are enjoying a boom. Katy Dowell reveals some of the winners in the turbulent economic climate
Down but not out
While the Bristol heavyweights battled for supremacy, the smaller Southern firms held their own. By Corinne McPartland
Go North and multiply
The North has been as vulnerable as anywhere else to the recession, but the largest firms are increasing their gap at the top. By Tom Phillips
Joint accounts
This year Eversheds provided figures for its entire overseas network, as well as its UK operation. Matt Byrne recalibrates this year’s revenue rankings to unveil the alliance factor
Off-kilter
Every sector has provided Scotland’s law firms with challenges, but projects lawyers have been feeling the recession most keenly. By Margaret Taylor
Plight club
Last year we identified a group of firms facing significant challenges. Kit Chellel returns to the ‘problem firms’ to see what difference a year makes
Practice games
Firms may have become more transparent in recent years, but that will not stop them massaging the figures in this turbulent market, says Matt Byrne
Rising dampener
It may have been tough at the top in the last financial year, but as the statistics for the full UK 200 show, it was even tougher at the bottom.
Smoking brum
With the Midlands fast becoming a magnet for the UK’s legal industry, Corinne McPartland queries whether the region can sustain so many law firms
The power of 10
The past decade has brought recession, consolidation and a cultural revolution to the legal sector in the UK. Catrin Griffiths and Margaret Taylor assess how the top firms have evolved and defined the changing times
The sound of silence
Despite a tough year, most firms are still prepared to publish their financial results. A minority are keeping tight-lipped. By Luke McLeod-Roberts
Vexed in the city
The London large peer group has had a tough time of it, but management is looking to international growth to offset disappointing financials. By Margaret Taylor
West assured
Diminishing corporate and real estate deals have taken the biggest toll on the West End players, but as Kit Chellel finds, a fighting spirit prevails
When the magic has gone
Linklaters is now top dog in the UK and Clifford Chance has been pushed down to third place. Kit Chellel reports on the battle for supremacy among the UK elite
