The company has been carrying out a strategic review and redundancy consultation following the negative impact of the credit crunch on its business.

The jobs of 165 staff have been secured whilst 44 are being made redundant through a combination of voluntary and compulsory redundancies.

This follows a 30-day consultation period. The number of compulsory redundancies - at 32 - was lower than anticipated.

The firm's main office in Dundee and offices in Forfar and Arbroath will remain open, whilst the offices in Carnoustie and Kirriemuir will close.

The firm will continue to offer a range of services to private and business clients, including conveyancing and estate agency, agriculture, corporate and commercial law, debt recovery, family law, employment law, financial services, mortgages, personal injury and wills, trusts and estates.

Johnston Clark, managing partner at Blackadders Solicitors, said: "Like many other businesses we have experienced a sharp downturn in property and other markets as a result of the credit crunch.

"However, we do have a strong business, offering a wide range of services to our clients, and in order to secure our long term future we have undertaken a strategic review of our entire organisation.

"As a result of this we have restructured our business and will now consolidate much of our work at our main office in Dundee and our offices in Forfar and Arbroath will also remain open to deal with all aspects of client business.

"Regrettably, this consolidation has resulted in the closure of two of our offices, in Kirriemuir and Carnoustie.

"This has been an extremely difficult time for the firm and everyone involved, However, we are confident that following this review we can take our business forward successfully."

All employees affected by redundancy have been informed. Notice periods and redundancy payments have been agreed.