Blackadders sees dip in profit as it refocuses on specialist work

Blackadders sees dip in profit as it refocuses on specialist work

Johnston Clark

Blackadders saw turnover decline by three per cent from £11.9 million to £11.55m for the year ending March 31 2019, its latest accounts show.

The accounts lodged with Companies House also reveal that the firm’s operating profit fell from £3.3m in 2018 to £2.7m across the same period.

Blackadders also moved to new offices in the central belt in 2019 and despite political uncertainty due to Brexit, made a six-figure investment in new software.

The firm’s staff numbers remained the same at 204, with 82 in client service roles and 122 support staff, The Courier reports.

Johnston Clark, managing partner, said: “This was another successful year for the firm, particularly when read together with the accounts of our sister LLP, Blackadders Wealth Management LLP.

“We recalibrated to focus on specialist and profitable work, resulting in a modest drop in turnover, but the benefits of that will be felt in the current period which has started strongly.

“Our commitment remains to being a leading independent Scottish law firm serving businesses, families and private individuals.”

He continued: “Despite Brexit uncertainty, which we think will remain for some time, we have moved to modern open-plan offices in Glasgow and Edinburgh in support of our commitment and invested in excess of £400k in new modern practice management software.

“In Dundee and Perth, we have maintained our market share where that can be measured and shown encouraging growth in our commercial property, rural, corporate and employment law unit.

“Anticipating future needs, we have also engaged eight trainee solicitors for 2020 and 10 for 2021.”

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