Hammonds is to lose two senior partners, with Manchester head Jonathan Edwards and construction chief David Moss resigning from the firm.

Both partners handed in their notice earlier this week (31 March), on one of only two days each year on which equity partners are able to resign from the firm.

The next destinations of the Manchester-based duo are currently unknown.

An election process was kicked off last week to replace Edwards, with two candidates understood to have come forward. The process closes at the end of next week, when his successor will be announced. The firm is also in the process of appointing a replacement for Moss.

Hammonds managing partner Peter Crossley commented: "We can confirm that Jonathan Edwards and David Moss have resigned from the firm. We wish them well for the future."

He added: "With a new office head poised to take the reins in May, we are devising a brand new blueprint for the Manchester office. We believe that the time has come for a change of leadership and direction. We are about to promote three new partners from within our talented ranks in Manchester, and are confident and enthusiastic about the future of the office."

Hammonds overhauled its partnership agreement in 2006 in the wake of a string of partner walkouts, bringing in measures that left equity partners with only two windows each year in which to resign – 30 September and 31 March.

The last set of departures on 30 September 2009 saw two of the top 30 firm's partners leave the firm – construction partner Rupert Cowen and real estate partner Martin Fleckenstein.

The firm has made a number of hires this year including Mishcon de Reya head of planning and environment Oliver Goodwin – who is set to join the firm next month to launch a London planning group – real estate partner Patrick Ryan from SJ Berwin, Shoosmiths corporate partner Geoff Perry and finance regulatory partner Paul Anderson from Addleshaw Goddard.