Bird & Bird has decided not to pursue plans to convert to a legal disciplinary practice (LDP) after difficulties with local regulations in some countries where it practises.

The UK top 15 law firm was in discussions at the end of last year to add a number of additional lawyers to its partnership, but has opted against altering its structure after coming up against difficulties with Bar rules in other jurisdictions where it operates.

The firm had been considering converting to an LDP in order to allow professionally-qualified lawyers in jurisdictions not recognised by the Solicitors Regulation Authority into the partnership. This could include notaries and a number of trademark and patent attorneys. The firm said it would review the option in the future if the rules change.

Bird & Bird chief executive David Kerr said: "The LDP option remains a possibility for the future but at the moment it is difficult to reconcile with Bar rules in other jurisdictions where we operate."

He added: "When this is clarified we will review the position again. Career progression is not an issue for us as we have mechanisms for ensuring that [professionally-qualified lawyers] are treated, in all respects other than title, with partner status as their professional attorney qualifications deserve."

LDPs are a key part of the Legal Services Act and allow firms to introduce non-lawyers to their partnerships up to a cap of 25% of the total partnership. Firms have been able to convert to LDP status since March this year but to date few firms have gone down this route.