What Type of Lawyer is Most in Demand in The UK?

At JMC Legal Recruitment, we’re frequently asked about which types of lawyers are in highest demand in the UK. It’s a nuanced question, as demand for legal expertise fluctuates with shifts in the economy, changes in legislation, and the evolution of industries reliant on specialised legal support. Factors such as political events, trade conditions, and societal changes can all have a significant impact on the demand for various practice areas. For instance, economic uncertainty often heightens the need for restructuring and insolvency expertise, while increased global mobility and shifting immigration policies create growing demand for immigration law specialists.

Understanding these trends is essential for effective legal recruitment, and we’re committed to staying at the forefront of these changes. At JMC, we continuously review our vacancy data and monitor industry reports to track the latest trends and forecasts in real-time. This approach helps us remain one step ahead in candidate sourcing, ensuring that we can provide clients with highly qualified candidates when and where they need them most. Our in-depth knowledge of current trends and forecasts allows us to connect clients with the right candidates and equip lawyers with information about which fields may offer the most opportunity for career growth.

According to recent insights from the LexisNexis GLP Index, property, immigration, restructuring, and insolvency law are projected to experience the strongest demand growth in 2025. This mirrors the increasing demand across several core practice areas, each driven by unique economic and social factors. 

Here’s a closer look at the areas we expect to see the highest demand:

Currently, property, immigration, restructuring, and insolvency law are leading in growth. This aligns with the broader demand across legal services, with each of these areas experiencing distinct driving factors:

1. Property Law – Growth in the property sector has been robust, with demand for property lawyers driven by increases in housing completions and ongoing activity in Help to Buy schemes, mortgage lending, and planning applications. The GLP Index predicted a further 7% growth in 2024.

2. Immigration Law – Immigration has shown a high growth trajectory, largely due to the rising number of work and student visas, along with citizenship applications. Immigration lawyers have seen steady demand increases since the pandemic, with growth predicted to continue at 7% in 2024.

3. Restructuring and Insolvency Law – Given the economic pressures on businesses, restructuring and insolvency work remains in high demand. The trend reflects the rise in insolvency rates and other financial challenges companies face, with expected growth of around 6%.

4. Commercial Law – Commercial lawyers, who support operations, supply chains, and business development, are anticipated to see a steady 4% growth. Factors like trade activity and foreign investment fuel this demand, reinforcing commercial law as a solid area of opportunity.

These insights reflect JMC Legal Recruitment’s approach to understanding and adapting to the evolving legal market. We’re here to guide both clients and candidates as demand shifts and to help identify areas with the most promising growth potential.