White & Case is set to leave another jurisdiction with the announcement that the firm is to split from its Bangkok office.

The 58-lawyer office is breaking away to launch a standalone practice at the start of next year.

The new firm, Weerawong Chinnavat & Peangpanor, will be headed up by three partners. Its launch comes 15 years after White & Case first entered the Bangkok market in 1993.

The breakway group cites the fact that most of the work undertaken by the office is of a local nature as a key driver behind the split.

The new firm will continue to work with the White & Case on a best friends basis.

White & Case said the decision was reached mutually between the Bangkok office and the global management of the firm.

Chairman Hugh Verrier said in a statement: "The decision to create the new firm was taken after a period of consultation with the team in Bangkok. Given the strategic goals of the firm, we agreed that the creation of an independent firm would be mutually beneficial to White & Case and our Bangkok team."

"Working with Weerawong Chinnavat & Peangpanor on a 'preferred provider' basis will enable us to have access to the best counsel locally at the same time as enabling them to take full advantage of the opportunities in the local market. We look forward to continuing the good relations we have enjoyed in the past."

The closure comes after the firm announced that it is to exit the Italian market with the closure of its Milan office at the end of November, with 14 lawyers leaving the firm.

The firm will also exit Dresden by the end of the year, with the retirement of managing partner Axel Bauer. The remaining five lawyers are set to launch a local law arm for KPMG.

Management consultancy firm McKinsey is currently undergoing a review of White & Case aimed at identifying where resources are best spent.

The firm said the office closures – as well as a major redundancy consultation launched this week which will affect 70 associates and 90 staff – were not related to the McKinsey review.