Slaughter and May partner Antoine-Audoin Maggiar – the sole candidate from an international firm to stand in this year’s Paris Bar race – is facing a knife-edge vote today after placing 16th in the first ballot for a seat on the powerful body.

Maggiar received 1445 votes in the first round of voting held yesterday. There are 14 council spots up for grabs and Maggiar’s 16th place leaves him delicately poised going into today’s second and final ballot.