Allen & Overy has delayed the launch of its second global legal services centre due to the impact of COVID-19.

The firm has pushed back opening its support centre in Johannesburg, which had been due to launch at the start of 2020, according to several people at the firm familiar with the matter.

The centre, which will be housed in the firm's office in South Africa, was set to open with 15 people initially.

In an announcement in December 2019, Angela Clist, head of the firm's legal service centre offering, said in a statement: "Johannesburg makes an ideal location for our new centre as it has a strong base of legal experts."

Head of advanced delivery and solutions at the firm Andrew Trahair added the new team would support traditional practice groups and the firm's advanced delivery and solutions businesses, including its markets innovation group and A&O consulting."

The coronavirus pandemic has paused some other law firm expansion efforts.

Dentons had aimed to launch an office in Dublin in May, but has now pushed back the opening until September.

On Thursday, A&O reported an increase in revenue for the most recent financial year to £1.69 billion. It said that revenue for its advanced delivery and solutions business grew by 15% during the year.

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