Dundas & Wilson has begun formal talks to breakaway from Andersen Legal, confirming weeks of speculation that the Scots giant would quit its five year association with Andersen in the wake of its expected takeover by KPMG.

In a statement issued by Dundas on Wednesday (27 March), the firm said it had begun talks to agree an “amicable and orderly withdrawal by Dundas & Wilson from the network of law firms co-ordinated by Andersen Legal”.