MUCKLE has advised on many of the region's major deals during the past 12 months.

Prominent among those was the £25m flotation of Vertu Motors and its subsequent £40m takeover of Bristol Street Motors, creating one of the UK's largest motor dealerships in the North-East.

Managing partner Stephen McNicol said that, by focusing on its core areas - including commercial, property, employment, public sector and wealth protection - Newcastle-based Muckle has developed a national reputation. He said: "As a firm, we have prospered by building close, long-term relationships with our clients, growing with them and giving practical, commercially focused advice.

"To make sure that we can deliver to those high standards, we not only measure ourselves against the best law firms, but against the best businesses in any sector.

"In fact, members of our management team have visited companies in the US, famous for their service delivery.

"We studied how they do it and put what we have learned into practice.

"We think this makes us a different kind of law firm."

This summer, the firm created a new logo using vibrant colours, and next year it plans to move into offices in Time Central, Gallowgate.

Mr McNicol said: "The rebrand, the office move and our expansion in numbers represents the results of our success and form the springboard for an even more exciting future."