The top earner at one of the country’s high end litigation firms secured a 49% pay rise after a bumper year, accounts have revealed. Stewarts Law LLP has reported that operating profit for the year to 30 April 2025 surged by 42% to £61.8m. Revenue rose by 22% to £111.6m.

The firm specialises in high-value serious injury and clinical negligence claims and has 351 staff in London and Leeds.

The positive financial performance has been reflected in the money received by senior figures. The profit entitlement of the highest-paid member rose from £1.77m to £2.6m. The total profit share for the executive committee increased from £15m to £24m.

The average remuneration for each of the 92 members went up by 27% to almost £690,000.

The results represent a successful year for managing partner Stuart Dench, who took over in 2022 and has overseen rapid growth. Dench, who was formerly head of business development and marketing for more than 20 years, has been recognised since 2023 in the Spear’s Power List, an annual ranking of the 100 most influential figures shaping the future of private wealth.

Meanwhile, another firm operating in a different part of the PI market has reported similarly significant profit growth. Carpenters Limited, based in Birkenhead and which runs claims of all values, more than doubled its operating profit to £2.3m in calendar 2024. Turnover increased by 15% to £64.6m.

The firm said its rising revenue was down to winning new contracts and the transfer of two insurer firms’ files and people during the period.

Chief executive Donna Richards added: ‘During 2024 the company continued its investment in the development of technology, introducing enhanced processes and using automation where appropriate, whilst ensuring the customer experience continues to improve. The company continues to invest in AI across key parts of the operation with this scope widening.’

The two directors, John Carpenter and Donna Scully, received joint remuneration of £759,155 for the year.