Freehills staff have been advised via email that the firm is in "preliminary" merger talks with Herbert Smith, a source has told ALB. The email, which was circulated last Friday, stated that talks were still at an early stage and no date had been set for a partnership vote and nor was any other timeline in place.

The communication appears to be a move coordinated with Herbert Smith, with staff at the latter firm also receiving notification of the talks on Friday, according to a report by Legal Week.