Norton Rose Fulbright chief executive Peter Martyr has been tipped to run for a further term in the role.

Martyr (pictured) took up a fourth three-year term beginning January 2012, after he was quietly re-elected as chief executive of the Norton Rose Group in an uncontested election the previous summer.

Partners at the firm have long expected Martyr to continue in his leadership role, with one source close to the firm even saying that he could hold on to the top job for another decade.

A partner at the firm added: "It would be a bad thing if Peter couldn't continue as CEO. He has been the driving force behind all the merger deals. But I'm sure a lot of people would be interested in the role."

Some former partners have suggested Martyr's prolonged tenure could create problems for succession planning, with one questioning how long he could maintain the level of support he has so far enjoyed.

The firm set up a future leadership commission in 2010, as part of the firm's combination with Australia's Deacons.

The commission will oversee the process of choosing candidates for the chief executive role as Martyr's current term draws to a close in December.

Martyr said the committee, made up of around 10 representatives from member firms, is tasked with identifying, monitoring and developing the "future CEOs" and leaders of the business, emphasising that the firm does not merely adopt a "stick a hand up and have a shot at [the job]" approach.

The firm's default retirement age is 65, with scope for individuals to continue beyond the date by agreement.

Martyr has overseen a string of tie-ups for legacy Norton Rose in recent years, including mergers with Fulbright & Jaworski last June, Deacons in Australia in 2010, Canada's Ogilvy Renault and Macleod Dixon in 2011 and 2012 respectively, and South Africa's Deneys Reitz in 2011.

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