Simmons & Simmons is set to launch in Bristol to offer an alternative lower-cost option for its UK clients.

The new office – the firm's first UK base outside of London – will focus on projects, real estate and dispute resolution work, with the firm stating that it will not be a support office but will instead focus on high end advice in close co-operation with London.

The firm is aiming to open for business in the city before the end of 2012, with the intention to have 15-20 lawyers of varying seniority from launch, with long-term headcount growth based on demand.

Simmons is planning to relocate one or two London partners to the new base, although discussions are still ongoing as to who will lead the launch. The firm will also place senior associates in the office alongside more junior lawyers.

The venture, voted through by partners last month, is not expected to see London redundancies, according to managing partner Jeremy Hoyland, who also said the firm had investigated a number of options for the office launch – including Belfast – before settling on Bristol.

Hoyland (pictured) said: "I don't think there will be redundancies in London. This is part of trying to win more work and recruiting people rather than cost-saving. We looked at a range of other UK cities, because we wanted the availability of UK-qualified lawyers. Bristol has that talent pool and came out the best option because of its proximity to London, as we want an integrated service."

"We've consistently shown our willingness to embrace different ways of working in order to deliver greater value to our clients. Our lawyers in Bristol will service complex legal work where they have relevant experience and where location is not an issue for our clients."

The local salary rates in Bristol – which are understood to be around a quarter to a third lower than City rates – have already attracted a number of City law firms as well as outsourcing giant Integreon.

The West Country city most recently saw the addition of Reynold Porter Chamberlain, which launched a local base in January this year with the hire of a 28-strong team from CMS Cameron McKenna.

A number of UK law firms use outsourcing company Integreon's shared support centre in Bristol, including Camerons, Osborne Clarke, DAC Beachcroft, TLT Solicitors and Morgan Cole.