Magisters has reduced its headcount across the commonwealth of independent states (CIS) by 7%, as firms in the region move to position themselves for the downturn.

The restructuring comes as the Kiev-based firm, currently advising the Ukrainian Government on all issues relating to its sovereign debt, recorded a double-digit rise in revenues for 2008, with turnover increasing by 12.8% to $39.5m (£27.9m).