Slaughter and May is consulting over proposals to set up flexible working arrangements for partners and associates.

The elite firm is discussing options with partners and reviewing the ways in which remuneration might be adjusted to factor in reduced working hours. 

Slaughters currently offers informal arrangements for associates across all of the firm's practices, with lawyers able to request extended leave or reduced working weeks.  The move could formalise these arrangements for associates and expand options to partners.

A senior partner at the firm said: "It is a subject we're looking at. It is one of the challenges that exist for all city firms. It is not at all easy.  Some practice areas are much easier to accommodate than others. We are keeping all options under review, and have yet to reach a landing as a partnership."

In common with many firms, flexible working take-up in Slaughters' corporate and finance groups is rare since workloads and timescales associated with the disciplines do not allow for it.

Another partner added: "Everything is still up in the air, to be honest. Who knows if anything will even go through. It's usually the way with firms that have particularly traditional structures."

Executive partner Richard Clark is among a group of partners overseeing the consultation.

The news comes as Slaughters begins a potential revamp of its career structure for senior lawyers wanting to take a non-partnership role at the firm. Its management is looking at whether there is scope to devise a long-term alternative route.

Slaughters has lawyers in 'senior adviser' roles, broadly equivalent to a senior counsel at other law firms. But the title is held by just two lawyers: Christopher Wright, who joined from a Government role in 1998 and specialises in regulated industries; and competition lawyer Paul Walter, who was handed the title after taking on extra responsibilities as a senior associate.

For more, see: Striking the right balance – GCs on the blurring lines between flexible working and being permanently on call.