The European alliance of the UK’s Herbert Smith, Germany’s Gleiss Lutz Hootz Hirsch and Benelux firm Stibbe has postponed plans to expand its membership into Italy and Spain, despite agreeing closer integration.

The grouping, which was agreed last year when Stibbe joined the exclusive alliance between Herbert Smith and Gleiss, had been considering adding new members, including Pavia e Ansaldo in Italy and top Spanish firm Cuatrecasas.