The U.K.'s top 50 law firms may have had a strong trading performance through the pandemic but they have been left with a higher cost base as they enter a particularly challenging economic period, according to a leading industry auditor.

In a videoed interview with Law.com International editor-in-chief Paul Hodkinson, Giles Murphy, head of professional practices at audit firm Evelyn Partners, explained that a comprehensive analysis of limited liability partnership accounts showed some of the issues facing firms.