Theodores, Addleshaws are no fools

The vote will now take place on 2 April or 3 April, with the announcement the following day. These merger talks are no stranger to symbolic dates - the firms officially agreed to enter the talks on Valentine's Day this year.

"To announce the decision on April Fools' Day will be an utter marketing nightmare, especially after starting the talks on Valentine's Day," said a source close to both firms.

Theodores senior partner Paddy Grafton Green said the vote would probably be delayed, but that April Fools' Day was not really a concern.