DLA Piper is to end its alliance with South African firm Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr from the end of this month as it plans its own office opening in Johannesburg.

The two firms entered into an exclusive alliance in 2005, but in recent months reports of tensions in the relationship have emerged from sources in the South African market.

The tensions stemmed from both firms pitching for Africa-based English law work for mutual clients.

In October 2014 Legal Week reported that the two firms were set to engage in high level talks to resolve the issues between them.

At the time a Cliffe Dekker spokesperson said: "We have not really addressed the issue. We will have to integrate completely, split or form a collaboration."

Today in a joint statement the firms said the recent discussions had been "aimed at aligning the firms and their respective businesses more closely" but that Cliffe Dekker had "decided not to proceed to the next level of integration".

The pair said that they would continue to collaborate in an informal way and would "work together to support existing mutual client relationships and to refer clients to each other where appropriate".

A DLA Piper spokesperson said: "Africa remains a key geographic region for the firm and we have significant experience acting across the myriad markets it comprises. We will be working with our DLA Piper Africa members to provide our clients with the same high-standards and consistency of service remains central to our strategy for the region."

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