Norton Rose is set to lose four partners from its Paris arm following disagreements about the direction of the office.

Corporate finance partners Jean-Francois Mercadier, Pascale Gallien and Anne-Sylvie Vassenaix-Paxton and dispute resolution partner Alexander Brabant are leaving the firm, although their exit dates and next future destination are yet to be confirmed.

The departures will leave the firm with 15 partners in Paris.

The team joined Norton Rose in 2004 from local firm Sokolow Dunaud Mercadier & Carreras.

A Norton Rose spokesperson said: "We confirm that a group of four partners will be leaving the partnership. We have unfortunately not been able to agree on the direction and development of the Paris office. We are still discussing the terms of their departure."

The news follows the departure of a five-strong team from the Paris office to Stephenson Harwood last month.

Former shipping finance head Alain Gautron and tax partner Stephane Salou left the firm along with two associates and one paralegal.

Norton Rose has since appointed Christine Ezcutari as head of its Paris shipping finance practice, while the office's tax practice continues to be headed by Laurence Toxe.