Dentons' U.K. and Middle East (UKME) LLP is the latest part of the global firm's business to take measures to counter likely financial impacts caused by the COVID-19 crisis.

The arm is withholding partner distributions "until further notice", according to a London partner at the firm, and the firm has confirmed it is furloughing staff within the operation.

A spokesperson for the firm said in a statement: "As a pre-emptive measure partner distributions are to be deferred. We can also confirm that a number of employees who are unable to effectively work remotely, or from teams where full capacity is not currently required, have been designated 'furloughed workers' until 31 May. Dentons is topping up their salaries to 100%."

A person at the firm said that just under 50 business services staff would be furloughed, and around 65 secretaries at any one time. The firm is rotating those individuals affected.

Last week, the firm slashed its partner profits across its continental Europe and Central Asia offices. Its business support team heads in the region had their monthly drawings reduced by up to 20%, while some partners on its European management board volunteered to reduce their distributions by up to 50%.

In the U.S., partner draws are being cut by a minimum of 20% and staff and lawyer salaries being trimmed by a maximum of 20%.

As part of a wider package of measures, the U.S. arm of the global firm also announced 90-day furloughs for a small fraction of its business services staff last week.