The summer’s credit market turmoil has put a noticeable dent in business confidence at the top UK law firms, but a clear majority of partners believe their businesses will maintain robust growth.

The number of partners at commercial firms expecting double-digit growth over the coming year has dropped to 66% – the lowest percentage predicting such an increase since July 2006 – down from 68% three months ago and from 70% at the start of the year.