Bevan Brittan has placed three fee-earners and six support staff at risk of redundancy as law firms across the UK continue to streamline their businesses amid tough market conditions.

The trio of associates are all based in Bevan Brittan's commercial and infrastructure department, while the six support roles are in the firm's human resources and finance teams.

The firm pointed to government spending cuts on major projects as the main reason behind the decision to review its fee earner headcount.

The firm said in a statement: "The legal roles affected come from associate and senior associate positions. They reflect the fact that while all other areas of the firm have and are performing at or beyond budget, the drop in major government projects has meant that less work is available for those in the commercial and infrastructure department.

"At the same time we have also reviewed the support functions of the firm. The combination of a reduced workforce including outsourcing agreements, changes in client processes and improved technology has resulted in a lower demand for HR and finance support."

Bevan Brittan saw turnover drop 2% in 2011-12, down to £33.9m from £34.7m, alongside profits per equity partner of £304,000. The firm's revenue also fell by 9% the previous year.

However, this January the firm was reappointed to the Government Procurement Panel, securing spots on its general litigation and major projects lots.

The news comes as Trowers & Hamlins announced it had made seven employees redundant between March and this week. In total, three secretarial staff and four fee earners have been laid off, with the firm attributing the move to "continuing pressures on the UK legal market".