Hogan Lovells is set to split from its South African arm – Hogan Lovells South Africa, formerly Routledge Modise – which it first merged with in 2013.

Following a strategic review of its business in the country, the firm has decided to restructure its practice into its own fully-integrated law firm.

According to a firm statement, a group of five partners and about 15 lawyers will join the new firm from Hogan Lovells South Africa.

Meanwhile, Hogan Lovells South Africa – which currently comprises 26 partners and 65 lawyers – will continue to operate as an independent firm under a new name and will keep 21 partners and 50 other lawyers upon the split.

A transition period of about two months is due to take place so that the new Johannesburg-based Hogan Lovells firm is set up while Hogan Lovells South Africa rebrands and continues its independent operations.

A Hogan Lovells spokesperson said in a statement: "Although the last six years have worked very well, we all agreed that the previous arrangement where the firm in South Africa was operationally and financially separate and offered a wider range of services, was not what we wanted for the future.

"Having a new, smaller and more focused Hogan Lovells office in Johannesburg combined with the current larger firm being able to set its own strategic direction, name and practice, made a lot of sense to both firms."

The Johannesburg-based Hogan Lovells Global Business Services Center, which provides support to Hogan Lovells in finance, technology, marketing and HR, will remain unaffected by the separation.