Personal injury specialist Minster Law has removed 17 managers in a shake-up of the firm's case-handling system.

The firm, which was acquired by insurance company BGL Group, last year, has confirmed to the Gazette it has carried out a 'streamlining' of its management team.

The changes involve the removal of 17 manager roles, believed to be based in Wakefield and York, from the Fast Track sector dealing with personal injury claims. Minster would not disclose how many are solicitors.

The Gazette understands more managers may have been downgraded to fee-earner status.

In a statement, the firm said the change will 'improve the speed of decision-making, and allows us to continue to invest in fee-earner roles which are essential for the delivery of our customer experience'.

The firm said it has recruited 49 fee-earners and 69 legal assistants since May, with further additions planned for the coming months.

A spokeswoman denied standards will drop if managers are removed who would oversee the strength and merit of new cases.

'We're confident that out management structure will support our ongoing commitment to delivering high levels of client care,' she added.

According to financial statements published in February, the firm made a pre-tax loss of £663,000 in the 14 months to 30 June 2013.

The reporting period was extended to include Minster's May 2013 acquisition by BGL Group, owner of the CompareTheMarket.com price comparison site, for a sum reported to be the biggest ever paid for a law firm.

Since that financial period ended, the firm has opened a new London office and created a specialist team to deal with travel claims.

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