Bakers was named International Law Firm of the Year jointly with Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, while Blakes was named the Australia & Oceania Law Firm of the Year.

The awards were based on the votes of around 5,500 in-house counsels from around the world. Winners were selected for eleven different regional categories as well as an overall International Law Firm of the Year award. A number of firms were nominated for each category, based on their PLC Which Lawyer? ranking in December last year.

As well as being jointly-named the overall international law firm of the year, Bakers took out first prize in four of the regional categories — Latin America, Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and for the fourth consecutive year, Asia.

Bakers and Freshfields were up against fellow legal giants Allen & Overy, Clifford Chance, DLA Piper, Jones Day, Linklaters, Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom and White & Case for the International Law Firm of the Year award.

Meanwhile, Blakes narrowly beat out runner-up Minter Ellison, as well as all the usual suspects, Allens Arthur Robinson, Mallesons Stephen Jacques, Freehills, Clayton Utz and DLA Phillips Fox, to take out the Australia and Oceania award.