Beating both the websites reviewed in this column to date – namely the websites of Clifford Chance (CC) and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer – Linklaters has set the standard for 2005 by taking the lead over Freshfields, albeit by a margin of just over 2%. Alongside its rivals the design and usability of Linklaters’ website are midranking, but it is the scope of the website’s content that gives it the edge.

Analysing the content in more detail, Linklaters’ web-site includes most of the criteria we look for, omitting only relatively minor items such as links to relevant third-party websites and an ability to submit general enquiries via an online enquiry form. All the other boxes have been ticked as, among other criteria, we find that the news and deals pages appear to be up to date, partners’ information is readily available, careers opportunities are featured and extensive additional content and services are available in the suite of online tools.