Barnet Council in north London has slashed its legal team by more than 10% as a response to pressure to cut costs.

The loss of 3.5 legal posts - all currently vacant - comes as the department faces a growing workload from new licensing laws that will give more responsibility to councils.


A significant part of the legal department's workload will be passed to non-legally qualified staff in a bid to save money.


Lawyers will no longer be responsible for drafting witness statements in preparation for court proceedings. They will also drop other more administrative matters such as the routine service of requisitions for information.


A council spokeswoman said: 'There has been general staff rationalisation across the council and the legal practice has played its part in common with other departments.'