Simmons & Simmons announced yesterday that it has launched a redundancy consultation in its London office which could see up to 69 staff lose their jobs. The firm kicked off a 30-day review that is likely to see around 20 associates and up to 49 secretarial and support staff at risk of the chop. The axe is likely to swing in the firm’s capital markets, real estate and banking divisions.

South-west firm, Thring Townsend Lee & Pembertons is to close two satellite offices in Cirencester and Wiltshire in an attempt to reduce its costs. Although this is with a view to reducing potential redundancies, the firm is already in talks with 40 staff – up to 20 jobs could be sliced. The closure of the two  offices and will result in 25 people moving into its Swindon base. It is understood that the firm is also looking at reversing partners’ lockstep positions and will not pay any bonuses.

Following the announcement of more redundanices at DLA last week the firm’s EMEA and Asian businesses reported a 16.2 per cent revenue hike for the 2008 financial year yesterday. The firm increased revenue from £490m in 2007 up to £584.9m in 2008.