Linklaters is pushing for closer integration with its South African alliance partner Webber Wentzel by smoothing out client conflict issues, targeting common clients and aligning the two firms' sector groups.

The firm is investigating the possibility of holding joint pitches for clients alongside Webber Wentzel to augment the referral relationship that currently exists between the two.

Linklaters is also scrutinising potential conflict issues following the alliance deal, which took effect from February 2013. Though the firm says that it has not run into many conflicts so far, it says that there is scope to win more clients by taking a closer look at where they might arise.