ASB Law has had a flat year in terms of turnover. Its £18.3m gross fees figure represents barely a 1 per cent rise on 2003-04, while average profit remained static at £130,000. There has, however, been a lot of movement under the surface, with the firm shedding staff in a streamlining exercise and then losing three partners from its private client team.

Despite strong performances from it commercial litigation team, which increased revenue by 40 per cent, plus growth in the commercial and corporate groups, ASB's other practice areas have remained static.

The firm now appears to have latched on to the concept that to remain a key player in the regions it needs to develop a sustainable client base. However, competition in the South East is fierce and rivals such as DMH Stallard have widened the gap between themselves and ASB even further this year.