Howes Percival

Howes Percival is a commercial law firm that advises businesses, individuals and families on corporate, commercial, property, employment, dispute resolution, private client and regulatory work. Its sector teams cover agriculture, automotive, development, education, food and drink, healthcare, leisure and technology.

The firm began in the Northamptonshire market town of Towcester in 1790, according to its website, and now works from seven offices: Cambridge, Leicester, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Northampton, Norwich and Oxford. Geraint Davies chairs the firm.

A full year at £41.7m

Turnover was £41.7m in the year to 31 March 2025, according to the accounts Howes Percival LLP filed at Companies House in December 2025. The comparative figure, £31.4m, covers an 11-month period to March 2024. Profit before members’ remuneration and profit shares was £16.0m for the year, against £11.6m for the shorter period.

The average number of employees, excluding members, rose from 278 to 304: 190 fee earners and 114 non-fee earners. The average number of members rose from 46 to 49.

Growth in Milton Keynes

In February 2026 the firm said its Milton Keynes team, which has more than 40 staff, would move in April 2026 from Knowlhill to The Pinnacle on Midsummer Boulevard. It said staff numbers in that office had grown 44% over three years. “It is a sign of just how much we have grown and become central to MK’s professional services sector,” said Simon deMaid, Milton Keynes managing partner.

A record year in the Legal 500

In the Legal 500 UK 2027 guide, 59 Howes Percival lawyers were recognized, up from 48 a year earlier, the firm said in October 2026. They include 35 Leading Individuals, 14 Next Generation Partners and nine members of the Hall of Fame. The firm holds Tier 1 rankings in 13 practice areas and is recommended in 21.

“Fifty-nine of our lawyers recognised, more than ever before, isn’t a happy accident,” Davies said.