A strong field from a once-unsung section of the market that has consistently out-performed in recent years. From the more established practices, three classy regional firms continued to make steady ground with Dundas & Wilson, Mills & Reeve and Burges Salmon all posting excellent financial results.

Management ructions and controversy over miners’ claims have seen the firm hit the headlines for the wrong reasons, but the fact remains that Watson Burton has in three years turned itself into one of the most-closely watched regional practices in the UK.