Six paralegal staff are to lose their jobs at Appleby Spurling & Kempe at the end of April.

The local law firm's decision to terminate the paralegal programme is regarded as pre-emptive action in the context of a "tougher market".

The paralegal programme was developed in 2000 as a new method of support for attorneys.

In a statement on Tuesday, AS&K managing partner, Peter Bubenzer, said: "After continuing with the programme for three years it has become clear that it has not worked as well as previously anticipated.

"In the interests of continuing support for other programmes that can offer long-term opportunities for our staff and using the firm's resources effectively, particularly during the current protracted economic downturn, the partners have reluctantly decided to cease operating the paralegal programme as of April 30, 2003.

"Six individuals out of our staff of almost 400 will be affected and will receive maximum entitlements in terms of severance packages, as well as counselling to assist them in seeking new employment."

The paralegal role is more common in the US legal industry than the UK system.

Paralegals can perform a wide variety of supportive roles which under the UK system are often undertaken by trainee solicitors. Especially in large corporate transactions, the employment of paralegals with relatively low charge-out rates can represent major cost savings for clients.

However in the current market there are likely to be fewer large transactions of this nature.

AS&K emphasised there are no plans to cut any more programmes.