Norton Rose Fulbright's merger with Chadbourne & Parke is facing delays due to client conflicts.

The two firms announced the tie-up in February, but did not give a specific date, only saying that they would combine in the second quarter of 2017.

However, with the end of Q2 now just two weeks away, a go-live date is yet to be set.

Norton Rose Fulbright chief executive Peter Martyr said: "The combination process included an in-depth review of potential conflicts. We have identified very few material conflicts and are working to resolve these.

"We expect our proposed combination with Chadbourne & Parke to enhance our capabilities and add tremendous value to our collective clients. As we are in the process of working through the technicalities of bringing both firms together, it is premature to discuss any further at this stage. An update will be provided in due course."

One partner at the firm said partners had been informed that the tie-up was expected to go through in Q2 this year. He added: "It was always expected to be sometime imminently now," adding that if it went through in the next three or four weeks, "it wouldn't be particularly delayed".

It is understood that project finance is among the groups affected by client conflicts.

The deal will be Norton Rose's second US merger following its tie-up with Texas-headquartered Fulbright & Jaworski in 2013.

However, a number of Chadbourne lawyers have opted against the merger, and this week, Covington & Burling announced the hire of a team of 15 Chadbourne lawyers, including two London international partners, after recruiting a four-partner project finance team from the firm earlier this year.