They may have had one of the largest restructuring programmes with the most controversial moniker ("New World" in case you forgot) but there’s no denying Linklaters having a knack for coming out on top. And its a knack they like to impose in as many areas of their domain as possible.

Earlier this year, as the first quarter of 2009 crept to an end, we reported that the shrunken M&A market had a clear leader. Linklaters maintained its position from 2008 at the top of the deal pile. Mergermarket rankings saw the firm hold its position as the busiest legal adviser on European mergers and acquisitions.

They did it again, more recently topping the Thomson Reuters European debt and equity capital markets rankings. And now the Lawyer reports that Linklaters has retained its place as the largest corporate practice in the UK bringing in £453.3m in fees during 2008-09. Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer came in at second place making £424.7m in fees during the same period.

Jack Welch was famous for his philosophy that a company should be either No.1 or No.2 in a particular industry, or else leave it completely. Perhaps David Cheyne though he could refine it a little.