Allen & Overy (A&O) has made a number of changes to its partnership deed that will allow the firm to secure strategic decisions with less partner support.

The magic circle firm has introduced a number of procedural changes to its quorum as well as rules on the majority required in order to approve management proposals that are put to a firm vote.

Among the changes, A&O has adjusted the level of support needed to push through changes to the partnership lockstep, with the firm's original constitution – written when the firm converted to a limited liability partnership in 2004 – setting out that any such change needed unanimous support.

Following a firmwide partnership vote to approve changes to its partnership deed, A&O now only requires a supermajority, believed to be around 90%, to pass updates to the lockstep.

A&O has also introduced quorum amendments governing how many partners need participate in various elections in order to make them valid, which it says will increase efficiency in the election process. The firm declined to comment on the full range of the voting changes but partners have indicated the move could make it easier to sign off lateral appointments or larger strategic acquisitions.

The changes were effective earlier this year (1 January) following a partnership consultation and vote held in December.

A firm spokesperson said: "The firm has changed significantly since the original partnership deed was set out. These are just procedural changes to reflect the reality of the firm today."

Earlier this year magic circle rival Clifford Chance made a number of changes to its corporate governance structure, including giving management the final say on partner terminations.