Gateley has restructured its operations in Dubai, with headcount cut by four as the firm attempts to turn around recent losses in its sole international base.

The firm has had a presence in Dubai since launching in 2007, but recent financial results for the office – the firm's only base outside of the UK – have been disappointing, with losses of £500,000 incurred during the past two years.

It is understood that one partner and three further staff have left the office as a result of the restructuring, although whether they have relocated or left the firm entirely is unclear.

According to its website, the Dubai office now has two partners and three associates.

Gateley CEO Michael Ward said: "We have reduced space and we have taken some people out of the business. It is only four people, but enough to give us a business plan that doesn't result in a loss.

"The oil price has not really helped the region. It has been a challenging business out there; some law firms have announced they are exiting Dubai. We are continuing to support the office moving forward."

In its financial results for 2016-17, released to the London Stock Exchange last week, finance director Neil Smith wrote: "Investment into our Dubai office has not yet generated expected returns. Whilst fees in Dubai increased by 10% to £1.2m, the office made a loss of £400,000 (2016 loss: £100,000). We have already taken steps to restructure our operations in Dubai and will keep this under constant review."

A number of firms have downsized in the Middle East in recent years, including Weil Gotshal & Manges, which pulled out of Dubai this summer, Herbert Smith Freehills, which has closed in Qatar and Abu Dhabi since 2015, and Latham & Watkins, which opted to shut its Doha and Abu Dhabi offices in 2015.

Gateley recently posted strong financial results for its second financial year following its 2015 stock exchange listing, with revenue increasing 15.7% to £77.6m and profit before tax up 18.8% to £13.1m.