Kirkland & Ellis and Weil Gotshal & Manges are planning to allow a small number of staff and lawyers back into their London offices later in July, according to partners at the firms.

One person at Kirkland said that the firm was aiming to open its office for those who need to use it within the next few weeks.

Another London partner at the firm said he expects the base to operate a "one-way system", similar to approaches rolled out by other firms in their bases.

A partner at Weil, meanwhile, said that the firm was planning on a "soft opening" in London on July 13, with people wanting to go into the office needing to gain permission from management to do so. The partner added that social distancing measures would be put in place throughout the office.

On Monday, fellow U.S. firm Latham & Watkins also began to allow a small number of staff to return to its London base.

Weil and Kirkland's decisions follow those of a handful of other top firms, such as Linklaters, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Reed Smith and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett.

DLA Piper, meanwhile, has said that it is going to be re-opening its U.K. offices from July 6 as part of a phased return for its workforce.

The first wave of lawyers and staff granted access to the firm's offices will be limited to 10% to 15% of total headcount to allow for effective social distancing.

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