MORE than 100 staff at a leading law firm have been thrown into turmoil after the company announced it was heading towards administration.
Semple Fraser, which has offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Manchester, is likely to shut for business over the next couple of days. Speculation had been mounting that the firm was to be broken up, with merger deals being sought with rivals, in a move that would secure jobs for solicitors and office staff. But employees received the news in an email from managing partner Simon Etchells.
Mr Etchells said: "It is with great regret that, after having considered every possible option to secure the future of the business, it was clear that administration is the only option."
An insider described the mood among staff as ranging from depressed to very angry with many left in the dark during protracted negotiations over the company's future.
Workers are unclear at present if they will qualify for redundancy payments.
The source said: "The company needs to be protecting as many people as they can but the communication has been awful. Partners have been talking independently and they are not showing due care to staff."
Semple Fraser LLP has 20 partners and about 100 staff. It concentrated on property, renewables, construction, finance and waste and has been hit by the downturn in the property market.
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