Here is our summary of the current state of the UK legal job market. Probably in a similar way to other parts of the economy, recruitment will be subdued until the Middle East quietens down a bit.
Locum Recruitment – Quiet
Locum assignments remain very low; in February just 8 new assignments were registered with us. We have seen increased traffic from locum solicitors checking in with us to see if any roles have come up. Suffice to say – if the low number of assignments being registered continues, we think rates will fall quite substantially this year after a few years of rapid growth. Booking annual leave cover now for later in the year is a very good idea, as its a lot easier to source locums in March/April than it is in July..
Locum assignment updates here.
Permanent Recruitment – Quiet
Permanent recruitment is also quiet. Candidates and firms are not particularly active. This may change in the next 3-4 weeks as we go towards the busy summer season. There remains a huge gap between interest in roles from candidates and vacancies being posted, together with a disparity between salary expectations and working arrangements of candidates and firms. No signs of any change here.
Permanent vacancies can be viewed here: https://www.ten-percent.co.uk/vacancies/
Law Firms for Sale – Busy
As ever, law firm M&A activity is not affected much by world events, although we have seen a number of deals falling through recently. 6 new listings in February and our stock levels have returned to normal after a busy end to last year.
We recently ran a webinar, attended by over 80 law firm owners, on selling a law firm and valuations. We will be holding a webinar every 2 months this year, so keep an eye out for our next one in May. Full details of firms currently for sale on our website – list updated daily. For valuations, exit planning or a confidential discussion about a potential sale or acquisition generally please call 0800 246 5016 or email jf@jonathanfagan.co.uk. You can also download our free detailed guides on Buying a Law Firm and Selling a Law Firm.
Ten Percent Group statistics for February 2026 (2025 figures in brackets)
- New locum roles added – 8 (26)
- New permanent roles added – 15 (20)
- New candidates added – 51 (51)
- New law firms listed for sale: 6
- Law firms for sale: 54
- Deals going through (heads of terms signed): 8
KPMG & REC Report on Jobs UK – March 2026
This is a monthly report prepared by KPMG following a questionnaire sent to over 400 UK recruitment consultancies, including ourselves.
- Permanent staff appointments fall at weakest rate for nearly three years
- Demand for staff declines at softest pace in nine months
- Rates of pay growth ease amid further increases in staff availability
Commentary from Jon Holt, CEO of KPMG UK
“Despite a marginal fall in hiring last month, the jobs market was showing its strongest signs of improvement in three years, with hiring at its closest point to turning positive. However, we need stability for sustained growth, and yet again businesses are facing into unexpected economic shocks because of global events out of their control. Resilience is now the new normal, so it is likely we may see these signs of recovery stall again in the near term as chief execs take stock.”
Commentary from Neil Carberry, REC CEO
“While February’s report is by no means a source of unalloyed celebration, it does suggest that the worst of the hiring slowdown has passed. There may still be a few bumpy months to come, especially in light of global instability, but the stabilising trend we have seen so far this year has continued.”
