Macfarlanes is set to lose two of its private client lawyers, including its private client property head Tristan Ward, while picking up another partner from Charles Russell Speechlys in a rare instance of partner churn at the City firm.

Ward will join newly-merged firm BDB Pitmans, which was formed through the merger of Bircham Dyson Bell and Pitmans in April last year, according to a press statement by the firm.