International firm Fieldfisher has said it is to expand its presence in Belfast, opening a new office with space for more than 100 jobs in the city.

The ‘legal solutions hub’ will provide document negotiation and legal support for the firm’s 20 national and international offices. Fieldfisher said it expects to employ 125 people over three years. The roles include senior positions in legal and risk management, as well as middle level technical and business support roles.

The venture is being set up in conjunction with Donaldson Legal Consulting (DLC), with which Fieldfisher has had a Belfast tie-up since the end of last year. Alison Donaldson, DLC’s founder, has become managing partner of Fieldfisher Belfast.

The firm is the latest with an international presence to open a lower cost operations centre in Northern Ireland’s capital city. Baker & McKenzie, Allen & Overy and Herbert Smith Freehills all have office space in the city.

Michael Chissick, Fieldfisher’s managing partner, said the firm began exploring Northern Ireland as a base for this new office in early 2017 and was ‘attracted by the stable supply of experienced and skilled people.’

Economic and development agency Invest Northern Ireland is funding £630,000 towards the office and recruitment. Chief executive Alastair Hamilton, said: ‘Northern Ireland’s legal sector has gone from strength to strength and has attracted several of the UK’s top 50 firms. This is one of the priority sectors for inward investment and we are delighted Fieldfisher has joined this growing sector.’