Herbert Smith Freehills chief executive officer Mark Rigotti will not run for another term in the position when his current stint ends in April 2020.

Rigotti has confirmed internally that he intends to move back to his native Australia next year, and will not seek to be reappointed in the CEO role, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.

The firm's global partnership council, chaired by senior partner James Palmer, will now begin the process to appoint his replacement.

The council will propose a partner to take on the post, with the firm's partnership then holding a ratifying vote on the decision.

Rigotti has held a leadership position at the firm following its creation via the merger of legacy U.K. firm Herbert Smith and Australian firm Freehills in 2013, when he was appointed joint CEO with disputes partner Sonya Leydecker.

Three years later the international firm announced it would move to a sole CEO leadership structure, with Rigotti appointed to the role.

He was head of banking and finance at Australia's Freehills from January 2004 until November 2005, and head of corporate at the legacy firm from November 2005 until February 2008. He was the Australian managing partner for clients until the merger in 2012, when he became managing partner for clients and industries.