A rising star of the North East
Sep 26 2008 The Journal
2008 has been one of Sintons LLP’s strongest years ever. Described in The Lawyer, as “a rising star in the North East”, there has been much positive news coming from this firm. In terms of hard numbers, turnover reached £8.2 million, a 23% increase on the previous year. The firm now employs 160 people with75 lawyers.
Sintons’ further gains in the
Sintons has always quietly had a reputation for delivering the highest quality legal work, with a clear focus on value for money and a very personal touch – an enviable combination, particularly in tighter economic times.
The feat Sintons has achieved this year is to combine these fundamentals with a step change in the size and complexity of the deals and transactions it has handled. In the first half of 2008, Sintons’ Commercial Group acted in the sale of both The Portland Group (NE) Ltd’s care homes portfolio to Southern Cross Healthcare Group plc and the sale of Heighley Gate Garden Centre Ltd to Wyevale Group plc both for substantial sums.
This was followed by further acquisitions in the region for Sheffield-based TAL Logistics Group Ltd and the takeover of the long-established NODA Taxis by MetroCity.
Sintons also advised on two prominent major private equity investments in the region – Durham-based Pagebet Group’s investment from Advantage Capital and Graphite Resources Ltd’s (chaired by Lord Baker) £50 million investment to build the world’s largest steam autoclave plant in Gateshead.
The Commercial Property Department’s fee income grew by over 40% through a combination of work for national clients, major banks and local property developers. Sintons acted for The Church Commissioners on the sale of its headquarters in Millbank to the House of Lords for £65 million. Environmental schemes for windfarms, open cast mining and waste projects continue to be significant growth areas as well as work in the health and medical sectors.
The firm has always maintained a very strong Private Client department, even when other firms have chosen to withdraw or run down their offering in this area.
The Sintons team is acknowledged as having some of the best wealth management and matrimonial lawyers in the region, handling several multi-million pound trusts and charitable organisations. Sintons has always advised a large number of professionals in the region including doctors, dentists, accountants and other solicitors – many of whom now also turn to the firm for help with their commercial, as well as private, work.
For over six decades, Sintons has worked closely with leading UK insurance companies in the field of personal injury. Many of the lawyers in the department command national reputations in their specialisms and the firm’s caseload continues to include defendant and claimant work, industrial disease and catastrophic injury.
Sintons continues to be selected by insurers to pilot new ways of working, reflecting the expertise that exists in this area.
While many law firms have shed staff over recent months, Sintons continues to grow. First half results for 2008 show revenue up by 11%. New partner, Keith Land joined from a leading Manchester firm in September 2008 and the firm has continued to hire at all levels.
Jim Dias, chairman, said: “Sintons has followed a consistent strategy of having a number of distinct specialisms which again is proving an astute approach for both clients and staff when times get tougher.
“We have always managed our own business carefully and responsibly. We are proud of how much we have achieved this year and the fact that we remain firmly on our growth path despite tougher times.
“We think that says a lot about our fundamental approach and remain positive and cautiously optimistic.”
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