Asia and US also see reduced partnership rounds, while EMEA bucks trend to remain static 

London partnership prospects at the UK's top 30 law firms have dipped significantly this year, alongside a fall in partner promotions across almost all regions.

The number of London partner promotions at the UK's 30 largest law firms by revenue dropped to 101 this year, down 17% on last year's figure of 121, with City promotions accounting for just over one quarter of all promotions across the group, down from 30% last year. In total, 370 partners were made up across the UK top 30, down 8% on last year's equivalent figure of 401.

Asia has also seen a drop-off in promotions this year, after a tough period for the region in which work levels have fallen and many firms have cut jobs, with the total number of new Asia partners at top 30 firms down by one quarter to 30 from 40 in 2012. 

Elsewhere, US promotions have decreased by 22%, with 46 Stateside partners made up this year, down from 59 last year.

In contrast to the significant decreases seen in other regions, the EMEA region (not including the UK) remained relatively static this year, with 117 partners made up – just down on the 122 promoted last year.

Clifford Chance (CC) senior partner Malcolm Sweeting (pictured) said: "Whatever one may conclude about Europe's long-term economic prospects, Europe currently accounts for a quarter of global GDP and continues to generate a lot of economic and commercial activity and work for law firms."

This year, 14 of the UK top 30 announced reduced partnership rounds, including CC, Allen & Overy (A&O) and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, which made up 20, 19 and 14 respectively compared with 27, 23 and 20 the previous year. 

Only six firms in the top 30, including A&O, Herbert Smith Freehills and Bird & Bird, made up more partners in Asia this year than they did the previous year.

Norton Rose chairman Stephen Parish said: "The downward statistics in Asia might initially sound alarming, but Europe is clearly a mature market, where UK firms have long-established and more predictable relationships with clients."

Simmons & Simmons senior partner Colin Passmore added: "The challenge in Asia is the premium on talent in the region. It is a difficult market to recruit in and I suspect the numbers reflect the pressure on firms seeking to establish a larger presence, particularly as a lot of talent is absorbed through lateral hires."

Withers is the only top 30 firm that has not yet released its 2013 partner promotions.