THIRTEEN may be unlucky for some, but not the corporate law department at Worcester-based solicitors Harrison Clark Rickerbys, because in 2013 it had its best ever year, advising dozens of businesses on transactions including complex sales, acquisitions and management buy-outs worth almost £250m, an increase in value of around 47 per cent compared with 2012.

HCR was cited by The Lawyer as one of only 38 UK law firms in 2013 to have advised on a merger or acquisition for an AIM-listed company, when it helped lead the £12m acquisition of risk management software business Active Risk Group by global IT services company Sword Group. In addition, three of the transactions it completed in 2013 were named ‘deal of the month’ by regional business title TheBusinessDesk.com.

The firm's managing partner and head of corporate Rod Thomas said: "We have been delighted that so many companies looking for growth, efficiency and a new direction placed their trust in our corporate team last year and delighted to win several accolades from respected sources. No doubt 2014 will present even more challenges for businesses and we are ready to do battle on their behalf to achieve the best possible outcomes.”