News has surfaced Fasken Martineau will close its Paris office in November, just hours after a redundancy consultation to cut 70 jobs launched in London.

A Fasken spokesperson said the office closure was ”in no way connected” to the firm’s decision to launch a redundancy consultation in its London office.

Fasken’s management team made the decision to close the 12-lawyer and four-partner office in March, The Lawyer can reveal.

Two lawyers have left since the internal announcement: Serge Grabel and Anne Granger, who joined boutique firm FLV & Associés. The pair had worked in the Canadian firm’s Paris office for six years. A handful of others are also understood to have left, with the firm’s website stating there are only seven lawyers remaining at the Paris office.

The lawyers affected by the closure will not be relocated within the firm, but a spokesperson said the firm was working with them to find positions at other firms.

A source said the Paris office was opened to work with French speaking countries in Africa, but the firm has been unable to capitalise on the venture.

The consultation in the firm’s London office could affect up to 70 positions including 20 out of the 22 partners based in London.

The news followed speculation London managing partner Gary Howes has resigned.

Fasken’s UK audited accounts showed that turnover has dropped in recent years. In 2013/14 the firm’s revenue an profit stoof at £16m an £5.9m respectively. During 2012/13 turnover stood at £17.5m and profit was £7.2m.

The London office is expected to remain open but will instead focus on the firm’s natural resources practice.