Big UK Firms Hire Support Staff in India

Updated: Eversheds is among the major United Kingdom law firms outsourcing low-end legal work to India.

Known for its willingness to take a creative approach to legal fees in its representation of Tyco International, the law firm is now outsourcing low-end legal business to India, according to Legal Week.

"The move comes after Eversheds announced plans earlier this year to increase the amount of legal work sent to alliance firms such as South Africa’s Routledge Modise," the legal publication notes.

Meanwhile, the magic circle's Clifford Chance is expanding its existing offshore legal facility in Delhi, India, and expects to have 300 individuals working there by April, nearly triple the current 110. Among them will be 20 paralegals, up from the current 13, by the end of 2008.

"The team supports practice areas including litigation and capital markets by covering routine tasks such as research, document review, database creation and proofreading," Legal Week writes.

Related coverage:

ABAJournal.com: "‘Convergence’ Can Benefit Law Firms as Well as Corporate Clients"

ABAJournal.com: "BigLaw Managing Partner Predicts the Future; Cost Control is Key"

The Lawyer: "CC makes savings by offshoring paralegals to India"

Updated at 1 p.m. to include article from the Lawyer.