In total, the Top 75 firms recorded a combined fee income of £17.7bn, up from last year’s survey of £16.8bn, a 5.4% increase. Partner and staff levels also increased over this period – there are now 6,684 partners, up 16% on last year’s survey (a figure boosted by the inclusion of more than 600 Azets – formerly Baldwins/Cogital – partners), and nearly 120,000 staff (an 18% increase).