International law firm Clyde & Co has entered talks with support staff over potential job losses after deciding to centralize its back-office operations. The firm launched a consultation with an undisclosed number of employees following a plan to consolidate services at hubs in Scotland and the Philippines.
The changes do not affect fee earners but do impact staff based in the UK and other European offices. As of April 2025, it employed 2,205 support staff alongside 2,756 fee earners.
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According to the firm’s most recent accounts.
Chief executive Matthew Kelsall said the firm regularly reviews its operations to ensure efficient and consistent support. “We are proposing to move certain services currently carried out by teams within legal support, purchase to pay and IT to our established shared services centres in Glasgow and Accenture’s service centre in Manila,” he said in a statement. He noted that similar changes have already been implemented in the Americas, Middle East and APAC. The centers are designed to deliver standardized processes and enhanced technology, he added, calling them a common feature of modern global professional services firms. “We recognise that these proposals will be unsettling for colleagues affected, and we are committed to supporting them throughout this process,” Kelsall said.
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Clyde & Co’s financial results show a mixed picture.
During the 2024/25 financial year, turnover increased slightly to £844m, but pre-tax profit fell by 12% to £167m. The firm did not disclose how many staff are involved in the process or how many roles could be cut. Clyde is not alone in looking to trim costs through back-office reductions. A&O Shearman confirmed earlier this month it is cutting an undisclosed number of staff following investments in technology and data. Reports also indicate that Baker McKenzie has plans to cut up to 10% of its business professional roles, mostly affecting its Belfast office. The trend reflects a broader shift among large law firms toward centralized support functions, often located in lower-cost regions. Critics argue that such moves can strain service quality and morale, though firms typically cite efficiency and scalability as the primary drivers. One former legal operations consultant, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the cuts often hit mid-level roles hardest while leaving senior management untouched. Kelsall framed the proposal as part of Clyde & Co’s growth strategy. “These centres are designed to deliver services through standardised processes and enhanced technology, enabling a more efficient, scalable and resilient support model as our business continues to grow and client needs evolve,” he said.
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The consultation is ongoing.
No timeline has been given for a final decision.
