Freshfields has made up 17 partners this year - but only three of them in London.

The number of partners promoted globally has risen over the last three years - 14 in 2013, 15 in 2014 and 17 this year. But the proportion of UK associates amongst their ranks has collapsed: six (43% of new partners), five (33%) and now three (18%). Only two of those three trained at the firm, from a cohort of around 110. Freshfields trainees have less chance of making it on to the firm's letterhead than Rolf Harris has of taking over from Jeremy Clarkson.

How it might have looked

Clearly it's jolly good news for the overseas associates who made the cut. Including the Düsselforf IP associate who can now add "partner" to his other titles of Prinz zu Waldeck und Pyrmont. Freshfields has always prided itself on being a blue blooded firm... But if this decline in London continues it must start to impact on the quality of trainess that come through the door.

In a statement Senior Partner Will Lawes said that the partners were "a fantastically talented and very international group". No one at the firm would comment on why London has recently appeared to be so out of favour.