Law firm Dundas & Wilson in talks with staff over job cuts

The firm confirmed it was consulting with staff and that there were likely to be a number of job losses, but it declined to give details.

The Scotsman has been told that up to 26 staff in Scotland and five in London will be axed, including some partners, though this has been disputed by other sources. However, it is thought some of those leaving are long-serving lawyers.

A spokesman said: “We can confirm that the firm has undertaken a preliminary assessment of the nature and level of demand for its services over the next few years.

“Following this review we have concluded that it will be necessary to reshape some practice areas to reflect the anticipated business needs. Regrettably, this process of realignment will likely lead to the loss of some positions.”

The consultation process began on Thursday and comes just weeks after the firm opened an office in Aberdeen. Managing partner Donald Shaw declined to respond to calls.

The sector has been hit by a series of job losses and a number of firms have decided to merge, the most recent being McGrigors, which this month announced a tie-up with Pinsent Masons.

Merger talks between Dundas & Wilson and London firm Bircham Dyson Bell collapsed last October.

Dundas & Wilson, which traces its roots to 1759, has 82 partners and 369 fee earners at its Edinburgh head office and in Aberdeen, Glasgow and London. It is one of the 50 largest law firms in Britain,

It acts for a range of household name clients, including FTSE 100 companies, major global business and privately owned entrepreneurial businesses. Last year’s turnover £62 million was 2 per cent higher than the previous year.