The number of international law firms in London open to a UK merger has almost doubled over the past year, according to new research which highlights the sustained attraction of English law for firms with global ambitions.

Legal Week’s annual survey of international law firms in London has seen the number of firms that would consider a UK merger rise from seven to 13, of which three – K&L Gates, Bryan Cave and Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr – said they would ‘definitely’ consider the option.