London lawyers face axe in crisis

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Several UK firms have made significant job cuts this year, and fears are rising that more will follow as hundreds of lawyers in the US get the boot.

Olswang was the first to impose redundancies in Britain, then came Dickinson Dees in its real-estate practice following the collapse of its client Northern Rock. Bevan Brittan axed 40 staff last month although the larger City firms have yet to act.

One "magic circle" partner said: "First firms will halt recruitment and then they'll make decisions based on performance as well as relocating lawyers to more lucrative jurisdictions in the network. Only then will redundancy become an option. It will happen in the UK, but it won't be as pronounced as it's been in the US."

Hundreds of lawyers have already been axed on America, and Tony Williams of legal consultancy Jomati reckons UK firms will suffer a similar fate.

"We're probably three to six months behind the economic curve in the US, while law always tends to be a lagging indicator," he said.