Eversheds and McGrigors concede referral links

Eversheds and McGrigors have established a referral relationship, it has emerged, as the two firms deny rumours that a formal tie-up is looming.

The relationship, which the firms say is non-exclusive, means McGrigors will pick up work north of the border for some of the UK giant's major clients.

Eversheds, which does not have an office in Scotland at present, currently operates a series of 'best friends' relationships across its international network.

Senior figures within McGrigors said the arrangement had been in place for some time and added that the firm was continually hunting for more referral relationships. Both firms categorically deny any suggestions the relationship is a precursor to a formal tie-up.

McGrigors emerged from the collapse of KPMG's international network of firms, dubbed KLegal, which was disbanded in 2004. The Scots giant began trading as an independent practice following the split, which also spawned European firms including German outfit Beiten Burkhardt and Fidal in France.

McGrigors has offices in London and Belfast as well as three major hubs in Scotland.

However, the 75-partner firm's recent efforts to focus investment in London suffered a setback last month after the departure of a two-partner intellectual property team as well as the losses of finance partner Stuart Brinkworth and barrister Jonathan Fisher QC.