Thompsons staff brace themselves for cuts as firm looks to restructure

Thompsons Solicitors is planning to lay off staff as part of a restructuring plan which will see the firm shut offices in Derby, Wimbledon and Chelmsford.

According to the Law Society Gazette, the personal injury specialist informed staff late last week that three locations were to be phased out, and that an office in Plymouth was also under threat. Some staff will be moved to other areas, but the firm will examine whether job losses are required at its 17 other bases around the country, suggesting that widespread job losses could become a reality. Thompsons employs almost 900 staff.

The Gazette has also reported that the firm’s chief executive, Stephen Cavalier, was hopeful that staff cuts could be achieved through voluntary redundancy. He also said that changes were necessary to ensure the firm stayed viable amid government reforms.

“Our objective is to deliver a high quality service which delivers justice for working people and those who suffer injury or disease,” he said.

“We will achieve this by retaining talent and making the business stronger to meet the challenges we face.”

A consultation process over the restructuring plans is now in place. The closures and redundancies are expected to be complete by September 2016.

Mark Dugdale