Gateley has shot into the 2010-11 UK top 50 rankings for the first time, buoyed by last year’s acquisition of Halliwells’ Manchester commercial practice.

One of only two new entrants to this year’s top 50 alongside Reynolds Porter Chamberlain, the Birmingham/Edinburgh-headquartered firm posted a turnover hike of 23% – the biggest percentage increase of any top 50 firm during 2010-11 – with fee income rising from £51.2m to £63m.