Bond Dickinson has made a number of redundancies after losing its place on the UK panel of global insurer QBE.

The cuts were made in the firm's Bristol office, home to one of QBE's regional bases. It is understood that around five roles were cut, although the firm declined to provide specific details.

QBE is currently undertaking a review of its UK legal advisers, which is due to finish later this year.

A spokesperson for Bond Dickinson said: "Earlier this year, following on from a panel loss, we had to undertake a restructuring exercise with our professional risks team, which resulted in voluntary redundancies.

"Fortunately, all of those solicitors who have now left the firm are moving on to new roles."

QBE's UK panel review is expected to see the majority of its key advisers reappointed. Firms that were appointed to the panel in 2014 included RPC, Plexus Law, Mayer Brown and BLM.

Bond Dickinson is currently gearing up to merge with its US alliance partner, Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, under the name of Womble Bond Dickinson. The two firms, which struck an alliance in June last year, will come together this October under a company limited by guarantee structure.

Earlier this year, Hill Dickinson closed its Sheffield office after failing to secure a panel appointment for a significant client of the team. The office's 24-strong team came to an agreement to join Kennedys.