White & Case is set to overhaul its outsourcing arrangements, with the US firm planning to launch a second business process outsourcing (BPO) base in Eastern Europe in 2012.

The US firm, which has operated a BPO base in Manila in the Philippines since 2007 for administration, technology, business & marketing and accounting support, is currently considering whether to launch a similar operation in the Czech Republic or Poland.

The Eastern European launch is pencilled in for next year, with the firm looking to hire up to 40 staff initially. This number could double within a three-year period.

White & Case is also considering launching legal process outsourcing divisions over the coming year in both Manila and its planned Eastern European base, with third partner providers also expected to be used on a project by project basis.

The US firm decided that it needed a second BPO base in order to better meet needs of its continental European offices for additional language skills.

A spokesperson commented: "Our Manila BPO base has worked very well for our US, Latin American and UK operations. However, for our continental European offices, we are looking into whether an alternative BPO base in Eastern Europe makes sense, not least for language skills reasons."

He added: "We are considering whether to launch legal process outsourcing divisions whether in Manila and Eastern Europe or elsewhere. Engaging a third party outsourcer on certain projects is also not out of the question. It is all early days and no conclusions have been reached."