Law firms Simmons & Simmons, based in the UK, and Nolst Trenité of the Netherlands plan to merge by the start of May next year.

The merger will give Simmons & Simmons a base in the Netherlands, adding to its continental European presence in London, Paris, Brussels, Lisbon, Dusseldorf, Milan, Rome and Madrid. Nolst Trenité will benefit from the international reach and big-ticket deals of Simmons & Simmons.