Denton Wilde Sapte’s Swedish ally Wistrand has merged with Malmo-based firm Andersson & Ekberg as the Scandinavian firm builds-up its domestic coverage in preparation for life outside the Denton International (DI) network.

The merger, which sees four-partner Andersson join Wistrand’s seven-lawyer Malmo arm, is to go live on 1 January, 2004, one day after the DI alliance of European firms officially dissolves.