Magic circle firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is set to close either its Duesseldorf or Cologne office as it combines the two into one location.

It is not yet clear whether the Cologne or Duesseldorf office will close or whether the lawyers and staff in the closing office will be offered an opportunity to relocate.

The merger of the two bases, which is expected to take place next year, will reduce the firm's German office count from six to five. Alongside Cologne and Duesseldorf, Freshfields has offices in Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich and Hamburg.