A YORK law firm is celebrating its most successful year as it marks its fifth anniversary.

Torque Law, which was founded by friends who met at university, has become the largest employment law specialist team in North Yorkshire.

With listings in The Legal 500 2021 and Chambers & Partners 2021, it has been shortlisted for the best employment law team title in this year’s Yorkshire Legal Awards.

Tiggy Clifford and Emma Whiting, who studied at the University of Leeds, set up the firm in 2016. It now includes a team of four specialist employment solicitors.

Over the last 12 months the business has seen a 65 per cent increase in turnover, with the team advising on settlement packages totalling £6.9 million.

Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, businesses have needed employment advice on an unprecedented level and the firm has led employers through complex, high-stakes and sensitive employment issues.

The team has also added advisory work for other employers to its portfolio, including Bawtry Carbon, Lakeside Dining, Hemingways and Youngs Seafood.

Tiggy said: “Emma and I are incredibly proud of the business we have built together over the past five years.

"When we first founded Torque Law, we had a vision to do work that we enjoy with clients we like, and this remains our purpose today.

"We have taken a strategic approach to our growth, ensuring that both our team and our clients share in our ethos and values.”

Tiggy and Emma, keen to pave the way with their own leadership, offered a flexible approach to work from the outset, meaning the team’s transition to remote working during the pandemic was seamless.

The team also regularly undertakes pro bono campaigns, with this year's focus on helping employers to respond to the rise of domestic abuse cases. They are a member of The Employer’s Initiative on Domestic Abuse, a network that works with employers to tackle domestic abuse, and a corporate partner of York women’s charity Kyra which helps women to make positive changes in their life.

Emma said: “It’s hard to believe it’s five years since we first started the business.

"A lot has changed in that time, particularly over the last 12 months with the unprecedented employment changes and challenges which have arisen as a result of the pandemic.

"Whilst it has not been without its challenges, we have remained steadfast in our aim of ‘doing things differently’ and we believe our commitment to providing our clients with a truly collaborative service, allowing our team to have the flexibility they need whilst enabling them to be their exceptional selves, and engaging and working closely with our local and regional businesses communities are the reasons for our success so far.

“We are looking forward to continuing to build on these relationships, into the next five years and beyond.”