Allen & Overy cut total staff costs by £15m on the back on moving support roles to its Belfast near-shoring centre and trimming overall headcount by 4.1%, the firm’s limited liability partnership (LLP) accounts for 2013-14 show.

Despite staff bonuses across the firm rising by nearly 10% from the previous year to £31m, the firm’s overall staff bill fell from £438.6m to £423.7m.