Clifford Chance (CC), Linklaters and Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom have been ranked top of the European M&A tables for the first quarter of 2006, as the sector hits one of its highest ever levels of activity.

Skadden topped the legal adviser table for the three-month period, advising on 14 deals worth a total of €116bn (£80bn), beating second-placed Linklaters, which advised on 54 deals worth a total of €109bn (£76bn).