North East law firm Muckle LLP has reported record turnover in a fifth consecutive year of growth. The Tyneside business, which also has offices on Teesside and in Cumbria, saw turnover rise to more than £20m in the year to the end of March 2026, as profit for the year - before partners pay and profit shares - rose to £5.1m from £5.08m.
Growth across practice areas
Partners said the gains came from across the practice with Muckle's commercial, construction and banking teams all reporting solid growth. There was also growth in the agriculture, rural estates and private client teams. Meanwhile, Muckle's commercial debt recovery team more than doubled in size.
The success comes at the conclusion of a five-year growth plan, with attention recently turned to significant appointments on Teesside and in the firm's private client, corporate and real estate teams.
Managing partner comments
Managing partner Anthony Evans said: “It’s great to be able to report another successful year. It is a real testament to our great people, clients and business partners; their continued support has delivered a fifth consecutive year of increased revenue and profit. We are now embarking on a new five-year strategy which builds on our successes.
“Our focus is on achieving significant and sustainable growth across our Newcastle, Cumbria and Teesside offices, while continuing to broaden the legal services we offer. That will be combined with continuing to recruit, engage, develop and retain the best people; and making sure we give them an environment where those people can thrive.
“We will naturally change as we grow but that will be an evolution for us, our vision, what we believe in and our commitment to being a force for good for our people and communities won’t change. With a clear vision of what we want to achieve, great clients, a growing team and award-winning talent, we are confident of our future success.”
Staff numbers rise
Staff numbers also grew, with the firm's average headcount now at 181 people, up from 169 in the previous year. In the past five years, Muckle has added the equivalent of 44 people to its ranks, including eight equity partners and three who were promoted on April 1.
There were 10 promotions during the year, including three to partner across its sports, education and charities and real estate teams, with six promotions to associate. Across the last five years, 38 solicitors have qualified with the firm.
The accounts highlighted the firm's winning of the Best Place to Work award at the North East Business Awards, for a fourth consecutive year and, for the first time, the People and Work Business of the Year award at the Cumbria Chamber Awards. There was acknowledgement of Muckle's community work, including more than £61,000 distributed in grants to 27 charities in the region, along with 562 pro bono hours and 2,113 volunteering hours inside and outside work.
