More than 50 support staff at international firm Hogan Lovells have left its London office as part of an ongoing proposal to move staff to lower cost locations including South Africa and Birmingham.

In September last year, the firm said around 90 London roles were to be cut or moved to Birmingham - or Johannesburg, South Africa, or Louisville, Kentucky.

In a statement today updating on the process the firm said: ‘54 people have now left (17 people are still under consultation). We expect the majority of the consultations to be complete by July/August this year.’

The firm did not reveal how many jobs were cut but said ‘many of the roles’ have moved to the business services centres. The firm’s Johannesburg centre was set up in 2014 and the Louisville office in 2016.

A spokesperson added: ‘This was a carefully considered step focused on improving our business performance and sustainability in a rapidly evolving and competitive legal market. In parallel with this project we have also made further significant investments in technology, legal project management and our use of artificial intelligence.’