King & Wood Mallesons' (KWM) Chinese partnership has emerged as a potential buyer for all or part of its own troubled Europe, UK and Middle East (EUME) business.

KWM's China leadership flew to London earlier this week to discuss the EUME arm's current predicament, and it is understood that a number of options are on the table, including the acquisition of select teams, or indeed a larger part of what remains of the legacy SJ Berwin business.