Hammonds has unveiled its closely-watched financial results for 2004-05 with the embattled national giant announcing that average partner profits have fallen to £204,000.

Average profits per equity partner (PEP) dropped 25% from £276,000 last year, with total profits at the top 20 UK firm standing at £19.4m before exceptional costs. The firm said it made an exceptional charge of £1.6m.