Sales rise continuing for Murgitroyd

Murgitroyd, the Glasgow-based firm of patent attorneys, yesterday posted a double-digit percentage rise in sales during its second half.

In a brief trading update ahead of September's full-year results, the firm said that its underlying trading results for the year to 31 May would be in line with market forecasts.

Rae Ellingham, an analyst at Hardman & Co, is expecting profits to be flat at 3.8 million due to lower pricing, with turnover predicted to rise from 29.4m to 32m.

Murgitroyd revealed it had increased its number of professional staff by 8 per cent over the course of the year and that it would take on a further three qualified attorneys and one part-qualified attorney before September. In November, the group had about 225 staff, including some 84 fee earners.

The firm opened its San Francisco office last month.