Wedlake Bell will still refer to Buse

Wedlake managing partner Julian Cuppage said his firm will continue to refer work to the Düsseldorf office of Buse Heberer Fromm for the immediate future. The firm was the original German member of Wedlake's Trans European Law Firm Alliance. The firms had worked together for 10 years. Buse is the product of a three-way merger, evolving into its present shape two years ago.

Cuppage said: "At the moment we don't have a German alliance member. We'll be looking, but for now we'll use the Düsseldorf office as and when we need it."

Field Fisher's new alliance, though, is exclusive, so Cuppage does not expect to get any work back from Buse.