Clifford Chance is set to cut almost 10% of its business services roles in London, with AI understood to be one factor in the decision.
The roles impacted are across finance, HR and technology. The FT first reported that 550 employees in those departments were told last month that 50 jobs will be made redundant with changes to a further 35.
It is understood that the firm is evaluating whether its current business services roles are fit for purpose and where news skills may be required. While AI is one factor, so is the fact that Clifford Chance has lower cost business hubs in Poland, India and Newcastle.
A spokesperson told Legal IT Insider: “In line with our strategy to strengthen our operations, we can confirm that we are proposing changes to some of our London-based business professional functions. The proposed changes could see the creation of new roles, changes to the scope of roles, revised team structures and in some cases a reduction in roles.”
Clifford Chance’s decision comes five months after it emerged the global law firm Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner is to cut around 8% of its business services function as part of a business modernisation programme.
Gartner’s latest research shows that less than 1% of job losses in 2025 have been attributed to AI productivity gains, countering widespread fears of large scale AI-induced unemployment. Gartner predicts that AI’s overall impact on global jobs will remain neutral in 2026. However it has predicted ‘jobs chaos’ in the next few years, urging businesses to stay adaptable as they incorporate intelligent machines into their workflows.
Clifford Chance is currently based in Canary Wharf but is moving in 2028 to the City when its lease expires.
See also:
BCLP to cut circa 8% of global business services roles as it looks to “new ways of working” including tech investment
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