UK law firms pocketed more than £1bn in fees from the private equity sector in 2006, with legal advisers confirmed as one of the main beneficiaries of the boom in venture capital activity over recent years.

Research published today (21 January) by the British Private Equity & Venture Capital Association (BVCA) shows that the estimated 200 law firms involved in private equity work trousered fees worth a combined £1.2bn for the 12-month period.