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King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) is pulling out of Saudi Arabia, leaving the firm with just one base in the Middle East.

KWM has operated in Riyadh since 2014 via an association with local firm Majed Almarshad, a deal that was secured by legacy SJ Berwin prior to its ill-fated merger with the Sino-Australian firm in November 2013.

However, despite initially agreeing to maintain the relationship following the collapse of the legacy SJ Berwin business earlier this year, KWM has now made the decision to wind down the association.

The two-partner operation is led by corporate partner Majed Almarshad, who relocated from Dubai to launch the base in 2014. He was joined by fellow corporate partner Glenn Lovell from Al Tamimi & Company in July last year. Their next moves are as yet unknown.

In a statement, KWM said: "Following KWM's relaunch of offices in Europe and the Middle East earlier this year, the firm and the Law Office of Majed Almarshad have reached a mutual agreement to exit from their arrangement. As the agreement to exit the arrangement is still being finalised, we cannot comment on any individual partner, fee earner or staff member at this stage."

The Riyadh base was one of a number of offices retained by KWM following the collapse of its Europe, UK and Middle East (EUME) business this January.

The firm will continue to operate in the Middle East via its four-partner base in Dubai, which is led by Tim Taylor QC alongside corporate partner Sandeep Dhama, disputes partner Ghassan El Daye and international arbitration partner Joanne Strain.

The firm added that it "remains committed to its Dubai office", which will "continue to support clients in dispute resolution, corporate and construction matters".

A number of international law firms have made moves to slim down in the Middle East in recent months, with both Clifford Chance and Herbert Smith Freehills confirming they will shut up shop in Qatar this year and Weil Gotshal & Manges set to close in Dubai.

Separately, KWM's EUME general counsel David Wilman has now officially joined the firm's London base, while former managing partner Tim Bednall has returned to the Australian partnership. Both have been assisting with the wind-down of the legacy SJ Berwin business and the establishment of the firm's new London operation.

Following KWM China's partnership meeting this January, the firm's new London team discussed plans for the base with Legal Week. The office is now looking to boost associate headcount in London, and is recruiting for a managing associate in both its employment and pensions practice and its EU, competition and regulatory team.

The collapse of the legacy SJ Berwin business, which was officially confirmed this January after months of upheaval, marked the biggest ever UK law firm administration.

A progress report by administrators Quantuma released earlier this month revealed that total legal fees relating to the administration are estimated to reach £1m, with this money to be split between CMS Cameron McKenna, Pinsent Masons and Ashfords.