Spanish leader Gomez-Acebo & Pombo is to split from its Portuguese ally, Vieira de Almeida, the firms announced last Friday (8 June).

Both firms – neither of which currenlty operate a presence in the other's jurisdiction – attributed the split to strategic differences.

The move follows a substantial management reshuffle by Gomez-Acebo and a strategy review earlier this year.

The Madrid firm, which plans to open an office in London by the end of 2007, recently called in consultancy giant Accenture to draw up a five-year plan in what represents the firm's first formal overhaul of strategy.

A joint statement by the two firms said: "Gomez-Acebo & Pombo…and Vieira de Almeida & Associados… have decided to end their preferential cooperation agreement as a consequence of the evolution of their respective markets and each firm's own strategic plans."