Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has completed an initial consultation on its proposed Manchester low-cost legal services hub, as the firm gears up to start relocating roles to the base later this year. 

The consultation focused on the overall direction and strategy for the low-cost centre, which is set to house back-office and legal support roles.

An HR consultation with individuals affected by the plans and a relocation programme are due to start imminently, with the first relocations set to start this summer. Back-office positions are expected to move over first, though the firm has yet to decide on the exact numbers and functions involved.

Freshfields has been trialling a legal support service from its Fleet Street office, which has been receiving work from several of the firm's international offices including Riyadh.

The trial was led by two associates and a small team of paralegals, though the firm did not confirm how many. It is not yet clear whether any partners will be based in the Manchester office. 

Freshfields has still to decide on the location and size of office space it takes on in the city, with a spokesperson denying that it had yet agreed terms to take on temporary space in Arndale House, where it was reportedly close to signing a 40,000 sq ft deal late last month.

The Manchester consultation comes as the process to elect a successor to senior partner Will Lawes has kicked off in earnest, with four candidates now touted for the role.

Former corporate head Edward Braham, former disputes head Christopher Pugh, employment head Caroline Stroud and German corporate partner Andreas Fabritius have all been linked to the position.

Braham has long been viewed as a favourite for the post but Pugh had previously been thought more likely to replace David Aitman as managing partner. 

Both Braham and Pugh had been tipped for senior management roles before being replaced as global corporate and litigation heads in October.

It is understood that Stroud, if successful, would not have to step down from her role as head of employment if she also won the senior partner position.

Fabritius stood in the firm's last senior partner election in 2010, along with competition partner Deirdre Trapp, before being beaten by Lawes.

Freshfields has historically had a German representative in one of its three senior management positions, with Cologne partner Stephan Eilers currently serving as executive partner. 

Former partners are divided on whether this trend will continue, with one ex-partner suggesting that the role should be abandoned to streamline management.