City firm Norton Rose Fulbright is to lay off over 130 employees, including 114 in London, in a major business overhaul.

Some 132 jobs are to be cut across Europe, the Middle East and Asia, with London worst affected. Most employees who have been made redundant are secretaries or in business services, including some contractors. However, 19 lawyers at counsel and associate level have also lost their jobs.

Norton Rose Fulbright

Norton Rose Fulbright: London office is worst affected by firm’s business services shake-up

Peter Scott, managing partner for Europe, Middle East and Asia, said: ‘We have taken the decision to restructure our business services operating model to set us up to lead and thrive in a period of change and uncertainty.

‘Our resilient performance over 2020 allows us to make these changes now. Our new operating model will help us serve our clients as effectively and efficiently as possible. Unfortunately, a number of colleagues who have made important contributions will leave us. We have followed a process that is as fair, robust and sensitive as possible, to bring a swift resolution.’

Weightmans, Squire Patton Boggs, Shoosmiths, Irwin Mitchell, Reed Smith, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, DWF, Freeths and BLM have all announced redundancy consultations since the pandemic began.