As the third quarter draws to a close, the value of U.K. M&A deals so far in 2021 is already about to surpass the whole of 2020 — and leading corporate lawyers expect it to remain busy for a while yet.

The total deal value of U.K.-targeted deals in the year to late September hit $276.6 billion, according to figures from Mergermarket, slightly behind $282.1 billion for the whole of 2020, which was itself a busier year than 2019.