Hogan Lovells has cut 54 business services jobs in London as part of a long-running restructuring process aimed at moving a number of support positions to lower-cost centres in Johannesburg, Louisville and Birmingham.

Ninety London roles were put at risk in the restructuring operation that kicked off in September last year. The review affected 78 business services roles and 12 legal support positions.

Hogan Lovells confirmed that 54 people have now left as a result , with a further 17 still in consultation. The overwhelming majority of those leaving are in business services functions such as conflicts and compliance, finance, IT, knowledge and research, marketing/business development and office services. A couple of legal support roles are also included within the 54 departures.

The firm said in a statement: "Many of these roles have moved to our business services centres in Johannesburg and Louisville, and our Birmingham office. This was a carefully considered step focused on improving our business performance and sustainability in a rapidly evolving and competitive legal market. In parallel with this project, we have also made further significant investments in technology, legal project management and our use of artificial intelligence."

Hogan Lovells' Johannesburg and Birmingham offices were both launched in 2014, with the former following Hogan Lovells' merger with South African firm Routledge Modise in December 2013.

The Johannesburg centre now employs about 110 staff in areas including conflicts, finance, marketing, and business development and technology, while the Birmingham base currently has in the region of 70 employees.

The full consultation process is expected to complete in July or August of this year.