M&A GraphFreshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has edged ahead of its City rivals in the end of year European M&A league tables after a slowdown in activity that saw deal values and volumes fall dramatically.

Freshfields, which remained top of the tables for most of the year, just beat Linklaters by value, after announcing 166 deals worth £133bn compared with Linklaters’ 210 deals worth £132bn, according to research released this week from Mergermarket.