FFW in jobs consultation with 175 support staff

Field Fisher Waterhouse (FFW) has launched the largest redundancy consultation of the UK legal market so far, after starting talks with 175 support staff in London.

The firm has 300 support staff, but has said that it is trying to minimise the losses, adding that at least 40 positions are under threat. A spokesperson for the firm said no lawyers would be affected by the consultation.

Managing partner Moira Gilmour said: “We can confirm that in response to current market conditions the firm has entered into a collective consultation exercise with a number of secretarial and support staff in ­relation to a potential redundancy programme.

“This action is very much regretted. However, we’re moving into difficult times and must take some tough decisions. With the outlook for the next two years ­uncertain, the firm must exercise prudent financial management. Unfortunately, looking at staffing levels is part of that process.”

FFW has a total of 766 staff, including lawyers, meaning the consultation will hit 23 per cent of the total workforce. The consultation is the second for FFW this year. In August the firm had talks with fee-earners in the London real estate department, with up to five people affected.

FFW has joined a long-list of UK firms shedding jobs. Last month, Nabarro confirmed it was in redundancy talks with 22 staff.

Earlier this year, FFW broke through its three-year turnover target, posting a 30 per cent revenue hike to hit £88m.