In spite of a storming year for the majority of the UK’s top 50 firms, some familiar names failed to capitalise on the resurgent transactional market and instead saw their financial performance slide during 2005-06.

Denton Wilde Sapte saw the most disappointing turnover result, with fee income dipping 4.2%, despite an increase in productivity with revenue per lawyer up 9% from £267,000 to £290,000.