City firms win Royal approval for their enterprising work

A record three City law firms are among the winners of the Queen's Award for Enterprise this year.Linklaters, Herbert Smith and Richards Butler all triumphed in the category of international trade - presented yearly for outstanding business performance over three years - to join past legal winners Allen & Overy, Norton Rose and Surrey firm Shadbolt & Co.

The awards entitle winners to use the Queen's Award emblem for five years.Roger Parker, managing partner at Richards Butler, said: 'The awards were more focused on financial services this year which is why there were more law firms among the winners.

It is also a reflection of City law firms being world leaders and making a significant contribution to British invisible earnings.'He said the firm had been picked out for 'pioneering work abroad, getting people on the ground in particular jurisdictions such as Brazil, Abu Dhabi and Hong Kong'.Richard Fleck, practice partner at Herbert Smith, said: 'Over the past five years, UK firms have been particularly effective at taking the profession forward and responding to the global needs of clients.'He said opening offices in Japan, China, Indonesia and Russia had played a part in the firm's award.Over the past year, Linklaters has merged with firms in Sweden, the Czech Republic, Poland and Belgium, as well as establishing a presence in Brazil - although just last week its Dutch merger fell apart.Senior partner Anthony Cann said: 'The award is a huge boost to morale and pride within the firm and will hopefully be understood and appreciated by clients home and abroad.'See Editorial, page 16Andrew Towler