Vacancysoft & APSCo Legal Sector Trends Report | April 2025

As Britain settles into a new economic cycle shaped by fiscal retrenchment and cautious regulatory expansion, the legal labour market in England and Wales is undergoing structural change. In 2025, a clear divergence is emerging between the traditional dominance of private practice and the rising tide of inhouse legal roles. Slower economic growth, mounting corporate compliance pressures, and shifting patterns in property and commercial activity are redrawing demand for legal professionals across the regions.