South African law firm Webber Wentzel Bowens is to terminate formal ties with international professional services firm Maitland, which was established when Maitland chairman and founder Eric Pfaff set up a Luxembourg presence for WWB in 1976. Nine lawyers who are currently partners of both firms will retire from WWB on 28 February. The split was prompted by WWB’s transformation plans and merger with Cape Town firm, Mallinicks, which confirmed its position as one of the largest South African law firms. David Lancaster, senior partner of WWB, said: “Our focus now is on consolidating our position as one of the leading law firms in South Africa and the rest of Africa while Maitland’s focus has become more orientated towards cross-border corporate, trust, tax and wealth management services." Maitland will continue to provide support to WWB in Europe, particularly in London, where WWB will be represented by Vaughn Harrison. Maitland is a professional services firm with over 500 employees, providing advisory, fiduciary asset management and fund services from offices in ten locations across Europe, South Africa and the Caribbean. Last August it acquired the asset management business of Insinger de Beaufort Luxembourg, which added a further $65 million to the $800 million under management in Maitland’s asset management division.