Fox_Williams_bids_to_form_Euro_network

Eight-firm IUS Laboris has grown in part out of the reluctance of top Belgian employment lawyer Thierry Claeys to merge with City giant Allen & Overy...Eight-firm IUS Laboris has grown in part out of the reluctance of top Belgian employment lawyer Thierry Claeys to merge with City giant Allen & Overy.

The network is now looking for English, Swedish, Swiss, and Portuguese members, with general secretary Jean-Francois Gerard confirming that four English firms are currently under consideration.

The Gazette has learned that there have been initial talks with Fox Williams.

Senior partner Ronnie Fox said: They have got some very interesting ideas.

Mr Fox said this kind of network is a way for small firms keen to remain independent and offer clients overseas contacts in other countries.

IUS Laboris is a joint initiative between Mr Claeys, who withdrew his 200-strong employment team from top Benelux firm Loeff Claeys Verbeke when it merged last year with Allen & Overy, and three European firms which were already co-operating: Sagardoy, J Barthlmy & Associates in France and NCTM Negri-Clementi Toffoletto Montironi & Soci in Italy (formerly allied with City firm Ashurt Morris Crisp).The four other members are: Norrbom & Vinding (Denmark), CBH Cornelius Bartenbach Haesemann & Partner (Germany), Loyens & Loeff (the Netherlands) and Nothar Castegnaro Roth (Luxembourg).Every member has the same story of turning their back on suitors, Mr Gerard added.See Editorial page 16Neil Rose