LAW firm Watson Burton has seen its best year, with turnover soaring by 42 per cent.

The results rocket the firm into the top 100 of UK law firms in terms of growth.

The practice is currently the fastest organically-growing commercial law firm in the country.

Watson Burton, which has offices in Newcastle and Leeds, posted figures of £22.9m for the financial year ending April 30 this year, up from £16.1m last year.

These follow average growth of 20 per cent-plus each year over the past five years.

Not only has turnover rocketed, but partner numbers have increased by 50 per cent.

The firm opened a new Leeds office last year, becoming the first North-East practice to expand into Leeds. With the expansion, it took on a raft of new national and regional clients.

Partners who have joined since May last year include Andrew Walker, David Bowden, Sharon Needle, Dr John McMullen, Lyn Ayrton, Richard Sowler, Karen Eckstein, Lester Wilson and Chris Storey.

The practice has also launched a human resources consultancy, one of the few UK law firms to offer such a service.

The Leeds practice celebrates its first anniversary this month, and now has ten partners and 40 staff.

It has ten new plc clients and has had to take on another floor at its offices in 1, City Square, to cater for an expected extra 85 staff which will be taken on to cope with its growth.

Andrew Hoyle, Watson Burton's senior partner, said: "This has been an exceptional year for Watson Burton.

"We have welcomed first-class partners and staff, who have contributed enormously to the entire team's success in improving the firm's strength and depth.

"They also reinforce the fact that Watson Burton's combination of national quality services and regional pricing structure is one for which the market continues to have a real appetite."