The news comes after Mr Layton was uncontested in the latest election conducted by the partnership  - a position with a new four-year term starting on the 1st May.Malcolm Sweeting, Clifford Chance senior partner, said that Mr Layton had done an 'excellent job' leading the firm despite the fact clients and law firms were facing growing challenges. Mr Layton added: ‘In an environment where the pace of change is unprecedented and accelerating, our clients are facing complexity and uncertainty like never before…For us, that creates opportunities as well as risks. Our success will depend on our ability to invest in talent and evolve our service model, working in true collaboration with our clients.'

Latest senior appointment

The Global Legal Post revealed earlier in the week that the firm selected Matthew Newick as its new global head of litigation.