LAW firm Dickinson Dees has increased profits, despite falling fee income.

The firm, which has an office in York, increased profits by 18 per cent to £13 million for the financial year 2009/10, from £11 million in 2008/09.

Fee income fell by 5 per cent to £48.8 million, from £51.4m in 2008/09.

Jonathan Blair, managing partner, said the firm was taking a cautiously optimistic approach to the year as it enhanced its portfolio with major client wins.

He said: “Our results are in tune with the budget we had forecast for the year and we have worked hard to drive efficiency savings across the firm which is reflected in this year’s profit. We are taking a prudent approach to 2010/11 but following a number of client wins, we are cautiously optimistic about the firm’s performance over the coming year.”

Over the past 12 months, Dickinson Dees has acted on deals worth in excess of £4 billion, for clients such as Nexus on a £230 million deal to secure the future operation of the Tyne and Wear Metro and Govia on its successful £375 million bid for the new South Central rail franchise.