Simmons & Simmons is floating the idea of open-plan working for London lawyers.

The City firm is considering a trial of open-plan working within its corporate and capital markets teams, having launched a formal consultation near the end of the last year.

The idea, first proposed by the London management committee, is intended to improve teamwork, communication and knowledge sharing by changing the office structure.

If the firm decides to go ahead with a trial within corporate and capital markets, walls could start coming down between April and June, with other practices adopting the structure if it proves successful.

Simmons corporate head Mark Curtis said: "This is a pilot project looking at how we can most effectively use the space in our office. We are hoping to see if by changing the work space we can change the way we work. We are looking at more flexible, collaborative and cost-effective ways of using the space.

"The pilot scheme would include the lawyers within corporate and capital markets. We are in the process of getting feedback from everyone to see what it might look like, how it might work and how we would actually build that space.

Simmons & Simmons on the Legal Week Wiki