Edinburgh-headquartered Dundas & Wilson, one of Scotland’s so-called ‘big four’ law firms, has has begun merger talks with London-based Bircham Dyson Bell.

In a joint statement released on Tuesday by the managing partners of each firm, the pair confirmed that talks have begun which may lead to a tie-up, although they refused to go into detail about how the merger would work.

Both firms, which have worked together on parliamentary-related projects in the past, have previously stated their intention to secure mergers to develop their businesses.

The statement said: ‘Given our mutual experience of collaboration to date, we can confirm that discussions between Dundas & Wilson and Bircham Dyson Bell have taken place as to whether we might combine forces more formally.

‘At this stage we have reached no conclusions so it is very much business as usual for both firms.’

Dundas also has offices in Glasgow and London and there has been speculation that the firm is keen to expand its presence south of the border.

A merger would create a firm with combined revenues estimated at approaching £100m.