Speculation that the firm would be broken up - with merger deals being sought with rivals - to secure jobs for solicitors and office staff had gained momentum in the last few days, but employees received the administration news yesterday in an email from managing partner Simon Etchells, reports the Herald Scotland.

'Only option'

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.’
According to the report, staff are angry and depressed about being left in the dark over the company’s future, with many unclear if they will qualify for redundancy payments.
An insider told the newspaper: ‘The company needs to be protecting as many people as they can but the communication has been awful.’
The firm, which has offices in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Manchester, has 20 partners and around 100 staff.