Law firm MacRoberts’ managing partner John Macmillan says legal firms must evolve and develop new markets.

Reporting an increase in profits and turnover over the past year, Mr Macmillan said seven new partners hired over the year would help the firm move into other sectors.

In the year to April 2015, profits increased by 1.3% to £6.2 million on a 2% rise in turnover to £17.9m. The additional partners brought the total to 47, allowing MacRoberts to further expand the range of specialist legal services it offers.

The total payroll has increased by 18%, nearly doubling its target for the year.

Mr Macmillan, said: “The most impressive aspect of our annual results is that we continued to increase turnover and profits while investing in the future of the firm. Bringing in seven partners in 12 months has increased the scope and range of services we can offer to clients and puts in place very strong foundations for further growth.”

He added: “Last year we set ourselves an ambitious target of increasing the headcount across the firm by 10%.  In fact we expanded much more quickly, increasing the number of staff across our three offices in Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow by 18%.

“With the support of HSBC, we are investing heavily on upgrading our IT, finance and client systems as well as a full corporate rebrand, including the launch of a new website.”

Among the year’s highlights, the projects team achieved a tier one ranking in the Legal 500 annual guide for the fifth year in a row and is the only Scotland-based firm that received this result.

In the recent Chambers Guide, David Arnott and Neil Kelly were ranked at band one in Construction, with Neil Amner at band one in Transport.  Twenty-five of the MacRoberts lawyers were ranked as “leaders in their field”, with Robin Fallas, Duncan Osler and Neil Amner ranked in more than one category.

Mr Macmillan added: “Legal firms in Scotland must evolve and develop into new markets to grow and flourish.

“During this coming year we will continue to grow the business by focusing on our core areas such as construction, projects and employment. Our new partners will also allow us to expand into the new areas of corporate defence, mineral resources and transport.”