DLA Piper and South African law firm, Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr (CDH), have agreed to end their formal alliance with effect from 31 August 2015.

DLA Piper has had an exclusive alliance with CDH since 2005. This has been a very successful period for both firms. Following recent discussions aimed at aligning the firms and their respective businesses more closely, CDH decided not to proceed to the next level of integration, and accordingly DLA Piper and CDH have concluded that their respective interests and strategies, internationally and on the African continent, are best delivered separately.

The firms have therefore agreed to move to a less formal relationship whilst recognising the advantages of collaborating with one another and building on the close working relationships established over many years. As a result, the two firms will continue to work together to support existing mutual client relationships and to refer clients to each other where appropriate.