Denton Wilde Sapte has become the latest firm to announce a reduced promotions round for 2010, with just two lawyers made up to partner, both of who are based outside of the UK.

The total number of new partners is down by more than half on last year, when six were made up, and significantly less than the 2008 round, when 12 joined the partnership.

Ian McGrath is promoted in the energy and infrastructure practice in the firm's Muscat office, while fellow energy and infrastructure lawyer Victoria Simonova (pictured) joins the partnership in Almaty.

The promotions are effective as of 1 May and take the firm's total partnership to 172.

Dentons chief executive Howard Morris said: "Our new partners are both based in our international offices, and this is a reflection of the sustained levels of growth we have seen and are supporting in the Middle East and Central Asia.

"It is also no coincidence that they are both energy lawyers, as we expect this sector to grow significantly in the future."

Meanwhile, the firm has also promoted London banking and finance lawyers Katherine Theobald and Kate Richardson to the rank of managing associate, a position introduced by the firm in 2008.

Morris said: "We were one of the first firms to recognise the artificiality of the (PQE) [post-qualification experience] structure and create a meaningful alternative to entering the partnership. I'm delighted that Katherine and Kate have been promoted to the role."