ECONOMIC uncertainty and a double-dip recession has left many law firms struggling, but one North-East practice has bucked the trend and created 14 jobs.

In the past six months, Punch Robson Solicitors has expanded its workforce by a fifth after seizing opportunities that has helped it to expand its conveyancing department.

The Teesside company, established in 1877, achieved the Law Society’s Lexcel and conveyancing quality mark accreditations.

The quality mark award is a national standard for property conveyancing, with assessors judging a firm’s credibility, quality and competence to a strict standard.

After gaining the quality mark, the firm, which has offices in Middlesbrough, Ingleby Barwick and Coulby Newham, has seen a substantial increase in work, resulting in the increase in staff.

Partner Stewart Williamson said: “While, as a firm, we have had to make savings like most businesses, we have never compromised on the quality of our work.

“Being awarded the Law Society conveyancing quality mark is a great boost to the whole firm as it is a clear indication that we provide quality legal advice and service.

“Having gained the conveyancing quality mark, we are seeing a marked increase in work, which has resulted in us being able to create a significant number of new jobs.”

There is cautious optimism at the firm that this is only the beginning, with further work opportunities potentially creating more jobs.

Senior finance partner Geoffrey Cruickshank said: “In addition to the firm expanding rapidly in our conveyancing department, we have also created jobs in our litigation and employment departments.

“We have been based in Middlesbrough for 135 years and we understand the local community.

“We have long-standing links with local schools and colleges, which has allowed students to gain full-time employment or offered work experience with the firm.

“We believe there is a lot of potential in Teesside and we hope to use that potential in the years ahead.”

The news comes as research suggests the worst of the economic downturn may be over for the North-East legal sector, with firms reporting a small increase in incomes for the second year in succession, according to The Law Society.

Practice fee income for firms in the North-East and Cumbria increased by one per cent last year, following a marginal 0.2 per cent increase in 2010, according to the Law Management Section’s annual profitability survey.

That compares to a 6.5 per cent income drop in 2009.

The survey of firms also revealed that average net profit per equity partner increased from £112,549 to £114,853 – a rise of two per cent.