DOZENS of Scottish legal jobs are under threat after DWF launched a redundancy consultation across its Edinburgh and Glasgow offices.

Manchester-based DWF moved into Scotland through a merger with Biggart Baillie last year, with the combined firm having an estimated turnover of £117.5 million, 12 offices and more than 160 partners.

Prior to the merger, Biggart Baillie had reported turnover of £16.15m in the 12 months to June 30, 2011, and employed more than 250 people.

DWF managing partner Andrew Leaitherland previously indicated he was keen to continue growing in Scotland and was considering a further merger.

The redundancies affect support staff and lawyers and are thought to be part of the firm's budgeting process for the coming year.

In Scotland it is believed the litigation, real estate, corporate, banking, infrastructure and pensions practices, along with the IT support team, may all reduce in size.

DWF did not respond to requests for comment but its website shows it expanded its Newcastle office last week with the hiring of four new partners and eight lawyers from Eversheds.

It has also made partner appointments in Manchester and Leeds this month but had cut 38 support staff in March this year.

The latest redundancies underline the difficult trading conditions in parts of the Scottish legal sector which have resulted in the collapse of Semple Fraser and closure of DLA Piper's Glasgow office in recent months.

A number of mergers have also taken place in the industry, with English firms such as Pinsent Masons and DAC Beachcroft bolstering their presence here.