ACN 120 394 194

Level 22
1 Market Street
Sydney NSW 2000
T - (02) 8263 6600
www.ilh.com.au

Friday 26th February 2010

ASX Release - 8am WST/11am EST

Media Release
Integrated Legal Holdings Limited
2009/10 First Half Results Announcement
Pleasing first half results improved performance
Interim dividend for shareholders
Fastest growing legal firm in Australia 2009
Highlights

Operating revenue increased by 53% to $11.59m.

Net Profit after Tax of $711,069 (compared to full year 2008/09 Net Profit after Tax $593,875).

2009 acquisitions performing well and in accordance with expectations.

Strong Balance Sheet and conservative borrowings.

Interim dividend of 0.25 cents per share fully franked.

-

Record Date 10/03/2010; Payable 9/04/2010

Revenue for full year 2009/10 expected to be at least $21m, with growth in Net Profit after Tax
and Earnings per share.

Fastest growing legal firm in Australia 2009 by fee income (source: Australasian Legal Business).

Integrated Legal Holdings Limited (the Company and Integrated) has today announced a net profit after
tax of $711,069 for the half year ending 31 December 2009.
This compared to a net loss after tax of $302,828 for the half-year ended 30 June 2009, a full year 2008/09
net profit after tax of $593,875, and a half-year ended 31 December 2008 net profit after tax of $896,703.
Earnings per share for the period were 1.03 cents per share, compared to the year ended 30 June 2009 of 0.89
cents (30 June 2009 half-year: negative 0.49 cents; 31 December 2008 half-year: 1.38 cents).
Operating revenue increased 53% to $11.59m as a result of continued organic and acquisition growth.

Integrated Managing Director Mr. Graeme Fowler said that he was pleased with the first half results and with
the continued operational progress that has been made during the period. The results were an improved
position on the half-year ended 30 June 2009.
The period was highlighted by operational consolidation, following the strong organic and acquisition
growth experienced by the Company over the previous 18 months. The Companys acquisitions in 2009
were very large relative to the existing business.
Mr. Fowler said that last years acquisitions are performing well.
The Argyle business in Sydney and Melbourne, and the mda lawyers tuck-in acquisition, are proving to be
good businesses. Growth in Argyle has been solid including a number of high quality new staff
appointments in the first half. This includes the return of former Argyle Lawyers Partner and Insolvency and
Corporate Recovery lawyer Mark Petrucco.
The Company has also experienced some improved performance in its Law Central business, following the
significant drop in demand for services in the 2008/09 financial year as a result of the Global Financial Crisis
(GFC).
Law Central is an internet based customised legal document publishing and information service.
The effects of the GFC did however continue for the Company during the period. Conditions remained
challenging in parts of the business and some services were behind expectations for the first half, and this
has continued into the early months of the second half. Our Perth businesses in particular underperformed
expectations in some service lines.
We are also continuing to experience some bad debts from client bankruptcies, and suspect this may
continue for a while longer.
The Company has maintained a strong balance sheet with bank loans of $1.85m at 31 December 2009. This
represents a gearing level of 13%. The Companys existing bank facility has a limit of up to $3.35m.
Results Summary

Operating Revenue
Net Profit (Loss) after Tax
Earnings (Loss) per Share
Dividend per Share

First Half
2009/10
$000s
11,588
711
1.03 cents
0.25 cents

Full Year
2008/09
$000s
16,946
594
0.89 cents
Nil

Second Half
2008/09
$000s
9,353
(302)
(0.49) cents
Nil

First Half
2008/09
$000s
7,593
896
1.38 cents
Nil

In respect of the previous comparative period (first half 2008/09), the Directors have previously advised that
expenses have necessarily increased for the Company during the period, reflecting a required change to
Foundation Principals remuneration from the artificially low and non competitive levels established at the
time of public listing in August 2007, and an increase in WA premises rental following below market rent in
2008.
The current period more appropriately reflects operating profitability and margin.
Dividend Announcement
Following the improved financial performance of the Company, an interim dividend for shareholders was
announced.
The Company has declared a fully franked interim dividend of 0.25 cents. The dividend will have a record
date of 10 March 2010 and a payment date of 9 April 2010. The Group operates a dividend reinvestment
plan.
The Directors of Integrated have advised of their intended full participation in the interim dividend
reinvestment plan.

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Outlook
Mr. Fowler noted his expectation of continued operational improvement from member firms in the periods
ahead. In particular, there is significant room for improvement in cash flow management in member firms,
which would have the effect of lowering the value of work in progress and debtors, and increasing cash
resources.
Mr. Fowler considers the Company to be well placed for the future, in particular noting:

The Company has good businesses with strong market positions and growth prospects.

The Company is successfully building a strong culture of like-minded people, with common aspirations
for above market growth and business improvement.

The Company has demonstrated an ability to achieve strong and consistent revenue growth. Integrated
was nominated the fastest growing legal firm by fee income in Australia in 2009 by Australasian Legal
Business (December 2009).

Scope for business performance improvement in all member firms, providing an opportunity for the
increased profitability over time.

Organic and acquisition growth opportunities for the Group and for member firms.

Opportunity to increase profitability by achieving increased scale at both a Group and member firm
level.

The effective delivery of the Companys stated strategy of developing a national network of leading medium
sized law firms will take time. The Company remains focused on incrementally and selectively acquiring
good businesses and working with them towards above market growth, business improvement and Group
synergies.
Mr. Fowler said that whilst progress has been slowed by the economic events of the last 2 years, we consider
the Company to be making progress and having good medium to longer term prospects.
The Company expects revenue for 2009/10 of at least $21m, and growth in Net Profit after Tax and earnings
per share.

For further information contact:

Graeme Fowler - Managing Director
Mobile - 0419 746 618
Office - 02 8263 6601
Email Graeme@ilh.com.au

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