Clyde & Co has received the Queen's Award for Enterprise 2007 - the only firm of solicitors among the 119 UK businesses to be honoured this year.


The award recognises the City firm's achievements in international trade. Clyde & Co has doubled its export earnings over the last six years to £64 million. It opened new offices in Shanghai, New York, Los Angeles and Qatar during 2006, and advised clients in 121 different countries.



Clyde & Co senior partner Michael Payton said: 'We're part of the great surge of success of the English legal system overseas. There's been considerable convergence, which has worked to all our advantages, with senior figures from the English judiciary holding top posts in Qatar, Dubai and elsewhere.



'France is our biggest export market and our overseas clients include several foreign governments, as well as multi-national businesses.



'We've always thought that we had a tale to tell and this award confirms that.'



Previous law firm recipients of a Queen's Award include Allen & Overy, Simmons & Simmons, and Norton Rose.



Jonathan Rayner