Allens is set to close four of its Asian offices in the wake of its tie-up with Linklaters earlier this year, with staff to relocate to the magic circle firm's local bases in the continent.

The Australian firm is in the process of winding down offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Singapore, although there is no set time frame for the closures.

Allens' does not have any partners on the ground in Beijing or Shanghai but has one partner in Hong Hong and three in Singapore. The firm's offices in Mongolia and Vietnam will not be affected.

Hong Kong dispute resolution partners Simon McConnell and Mun Yeow and South East Asia disputes head Matthew Skinner in Singapore were also based in Allens' local offices until recently, but the trio resigned to join Clyde & Co in July this year.

Confirmation of the closures comes after the two firms named three partners to head up the alliance firms' joint ventures (JVs) in Asia last week.

Hong Kong corporate partner Christopher Kelly and Singapore banking and projects partner Christoper Bradley will oversee the initiative on the Linklaters side, with partner Nic Tole appointed on the Allens side.

Tole, who has advised some of Allens' key energy clients on M&A and projects work, is set to relocate to Hong Kong from Perth in October, when he will take up the senior leadership role.

Tole said: "We are proposing and we are committed to co-locating in Asia, but really there is no definite timetable. It would involve Hong Kong and Beijing, subject to the practicalities of each place. Yes [we are co-locating in Singapore.] Again there is no specific timeframe."

As part of the alliance, which went live on 1 May, the firms have also formed a separate JV in Indonesia, building on Allens' existing relationship with local firm Widyawan & Partners, which will focus on energy, resources and infrastructure, banking, capital markets and M&A.

The news comes as it also emerged last month that Linklaters is in advanced talks with South African firm Webber Wentzel about an exclusive alliance, with both partnerships expected to ratify the deal through a vote later this year.