DWF is set to enter Northern Ireland through a merger with 20-partner Belfast firm C & H Jefferson.

The Irish firm, which is particularly active in the insurance space as well as advising on areas such as corporate, banking, restructuring and real estate, is set to formally merge with DWF on 1 December.

Belfast will take DWF's UK office count to 12, alongside international offices in Dublin, Munich, Cologne, Dubai and Brussels.

DWF managing partner and CEO, Andrew Leaitherland (pictured), said: "The legal market in Northern Ireland is vibrant and rapidly changing, and this merger makes us well equipped to take advantage of the growing number of opportunities it presents for our clients in target sectors."

C & H Jefferson managing partner, Ken Rutherford, said: "DWF is a very strong fit for us in terms of its culture and approach to legal services, and through this merger we will be able to create new opportunities for our clients with the benefit of DWF's expansive national footprint, service efficiencies and growing international remit."

All of C & H Jefferson's partners will join DWF as partners, with the exception of one partner, who will join as a consultant. All other C & H Jefferson legal staff will come across to DWF.

Rutherford will take the role of executive partner in Belfast once the merger goes ahead.

DWF's revenue fell by 2% in 2015-16, which it attributed to international investments the firm made throughout the year, mergers and a restructuring and consolidation of the UK business.

The dip saw revenue fall to £187.1m in 2015-16, down from £191m in 2014-15.

However, net profit increased to £22m, up 4% from £21.1m in 2014-15, while average profit per equity partner also increased by 2% to £331,000.