Addleshaw Goddard cut non-partner staff numbers by 4% in 2012-13, according to accounts filed with Companies' House.

Staff headcount at the limited liability partnership (LLP) fell from 1,016 to 978 during the year, despite an expansion of the firm's international network.

Fee earner and support staff headcount dropped by 23 and 15 respectively, while partner numbers remained static at 152.

In August 2012, the firm announced it had concluded a two-month redundancy consultation which saw a 24-strong drop in fee earners.

At the time, the firm said the decision was taken as low natural attrition had led to a "disproportionate" climb in the number of senior fee earners.

Despite the smaller headcount, staff costs increased by 1% to £55.2m, largely owing to a rise in pension contributions.

Meanwhile, the firm posted a 2% drop in group turnover to £164m, with profit available to partners also falling 7% to £52m.

In May, the firm said average profit per equity partner (PEP) for the year had grown 2% to £457,000. The latest accounts also show the partner with highest profit allocation took home £583,173 in 2012-13, slightly down on the previous year's figure.

The figures follow an eventful year for the firm, which has embarked on a major programme of international expansion including launches in Dubai, Singapore and Oman.

Addleshaws has since added bases in Qatar and Hong Kong, as well as an alliance in Tokyo.