Norton Rose has posted a 7% increase in like-for-like revenues for the first half of the 2011-12 year.

The growth has been attributed to a strong six months for the firm's litigation and banking practices. The figures also include Norton Rose's South Africa and Canada arms for the first time, which joined the business on 1 June this year.

Last year Norton Rose saw a 9% increase in turnover at the half-year point.

Norton Rose chief executive Peter Martyr said: "Contributing factors vary from country to country, but overall litigation has been strong and banking has performed well.

"We are pleased at the growth but, like many other firms, we anticipate the second half of the year could be more uncertain for the industry."

Many of the UK's top law firms are reporting rising revenues for the first half of 2011-12. Olswang is set to be among the strongest performers, with an expected H1 revenue rise of more than 20% on the £40m figure the firm posted last year.

Meanwhile, Allen & Overy announced an 11% rise in half-year revenues last week, with turnover up to £582m from last year's figure of £526m.

Norton Rose has seen significant international expansion over the past year, merging with Canada's Ogilvy Renault and South Africa's Deneys Reitz in June 2011, followed by a further Canadian merger announced last month with Calgary-based Macleod Dixon.