Legal Recruitment Trends – Regional Market Update Autumn 2025

The legal recruitment market across the UK’s regions—especially in Manchester, Liverpool, and London—has shown remarkable resilience during 2025. Despite economic uncertainty, many firms are strategically hiring, with notable growth in mid to senior employment law roles and steady demand for commercial and tech-savvy lawyers.

Manchester has emerged as a key hub, driven by innovation and sectoral investment. Demand for lawyers with 2–6 years PQE remains especially strong, with employers increasingly looking for those skilled not just in law but also in contract negotiation, data, and digital transformation. Liverpool and other regional centres are seeing a rebound in junior hiring, pointing to a cautious optimism as firms plan for long-term growth.

Across all regions, fixed budgets and increased competition for top talent are shaping hiring strategies. Companies are adopting more flexible resource models and looking for recruiters who provide not just candidates but partnership, insight, and bespoke support—an area where Goldfinch & Partners excels.

The key takeaway? Law firms that act decisively and work with specialist partners are best positioned to secure the talent needed for the future as the market continues to evolve.