Barclays has refused to be drawn on letters that the bank is reportedly sending to former partners at the collapsed European arm of international firm King & Wood Mallesons.

The bank is reportedly asking former partners to repay personal loans taken out to pay capital contributions. The loans, which could be as much as £200,000, are due for repayment by the end of this month. The bank declined to comment when approached by the Gazette.

Barclays initially sent a letter asking former partners to repay their loans in mid-February. The Gazette understands a second letter was sent at the end of last month.

Barclays refused to advance salary payments to KWM staff one week before the firm’s European arm collapsed. The European arm of KWM, formerly known as SJ Berwin, entered administration in January.

Andy Hosking and Sean Bucknall of restructuring outfit Quantuma were appointed joint administrators.

Earlier this month the Gazette reported that professional advisers including law firms and data management companies stood to earn more than £1 million in fees from the collapse.