Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas (CAM) Mumbai star corporate partner Ashwath Rau and AZB & Partners Delhi senior partner Percy Billimoria have both served out their notice period in record time, with today being the last day at their respective firms until they swap firms later this week.

Rau, who quit just over a month-and-a-half ago, will be free from tomorrow to start at AZB in Mumbai, while Billimoria will also in turn join Cyril Amarchand in Delhi this week, according to authoritative sources with knowledge of the development.

We had reported yesterday that Rau’s CAM team of two out of three partners - Anu Tiwari and Dhruv Singhal - and around 20 other fee-earners, as well as six fee-earners in Billimoria’s team had their notice periods cut short and are available to join their respective new firms from today.

It is understood that both AZB and CAM have notice periods of up to six months for senior partners, which the firms could contractually have tried to insist to be worked out to their full duration, which is often used to delay leavers’ departures.

Rau had originally tendered his resignation in mid-April, while Billimoria’s leaving for Cyril Amarchand became official just over a week ago, on 25 May.

The deal, which is understood was worked out mutually between the two firms, would see these notice periods cut short significantly.

We have reached out to Rau, Billimoria, Cyril Amarchand managing partner Cyril Shroff, and AZB Mumbai managing partner Zia Mody for comment, who either declined to comment or did not respond at the time of publication.

CAM Mumbai competition head Nisha Kaur Uberoi, who resigned on 23 May, is understood to still be serving out her notice period at the firm.