Gianni Origoni Grippo & Partners is set to merge with its tax ally Studio Vitali Romagnoli Piccardi & Associati in 2006 to give the elite Italian firm one of the country’s top tax teams.

The two firms entered into a professional co-operation agreement last month and, although there was no merger stipulation in the contract, Gianni Origoni has stated its wish to fully integrate Vitali into the practice.