Herbert Smith Freehills London office.

The firm's profit slipped 7.7% to £283.2 million, while profits per equity partner fell 9.7% to £857,000. The firm had grown the metric by double digit percentages in the previous two financial years.

Revenue, meanwhile, increased by 2.5% in the 12 months to April to hit £989.9 million. The increase is smaller than last year, when it grew revenue by 4%.