Legal Job Market Report – February 2026
Here is our summary of the current state of the UK legal job market.
Locum Recruitment – Quiet
Locum assignments remain low; and much quieter than last year. We have seen increasing numbers of locums registering with us, which is really positive for when the market picks up, but for the time being there is not a lot happening. New assignment numbers are 45% lower this year than last. 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 than it is in July..
Locum assignment updates here.
Permanent Recruitment – Busy
Permanent recruitment remains busy with new vacancies being posted. We are at least 25% up on last year in terms of new vacancies and there is activity from both candidates registering for work and firms looking for new staff. 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
Lots of activity in the M&A sector – we have had 13 new listings in January and our numbers of firms for sale are back up to normal levels again. A few sales completed over the last month, but quieter than usual on that front. A lot of new enquiries are coming through, but we are at the start of the process on a lot of them.
We recently ran a webinar, attended by over 80 law firm owners, on selling a law firm and valuations. Our next webinar is on March 25th at 1-2pm and is about getting ready to sell a law firm and effective planning for retirement. See below for details and how to register. 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 January 2026 (2025 figures in brackets)
- New locum roles added – 12 (20)
- New permanent roles added – 31 (38)
- New candidates added – 46 (49)
- New law firms listed for sale: 13
- Law firms for sale: 51
- Deals going through (heads of terms signed): 6
KPMG & REC Report on Jobs UK – February 2026
This is a monthly report prepared by KPMG following a questionnaire sent to over 400 UK recruitment consultancies, including ourselves.
- Temp billings expand slightly for the first time in three months
- Candidate availability increases at softest rate in a year
- Stronger rises in both starting salaries and temp wages
Commentary from Jon Holt, CEO of KPMG UK
“After a difficult end to last year, it’s encouraging to start this year with tentative signs that hiring appetites are beginning to improve as chief execs respond to signs of easing uncertainty by starting to push forward with their plans. Skills shortages in specialist areas continue to impact the market, particularly where competition for talent remains intense. There are parts of the economy poised for investment, and as skills needs align with greater market stability, we could start to see more consistent improvement in hiring as the year progresses.”
Commentary from Neil Carberry, REC CEO
“There have been increasing signs from businesses as we enter 2026 that uncertainty on hiring plans is giving way to action. That does not mean a general hiring upswing, but the “wait-and-see” period seems to be ending. Rising temp billings and a levelling off in the permanent market speak to these clearer plans. REC members across the country report a change in tone since the start of the year.”
