Legal Executive and Paralegal

Our unique position in the legal marketplace has allowed us to compile the following table:

2010 saw the legal profession undergo a series of redundancies throughout the sector, very few legal disciplines were unaffected and as a result salaries remained fairly stagnant. Much of the recruitment throughout 2010 resulted out of replacement roles rather than head count expansion. With some redundancies in the early part of 2011 the outlook for this year still remains uncertain, however we are now starting to see some improvement in recruitment demands and as such we would hope to see an increase in roles and an improvement in salaries as the year progresses.

Employment: We have seen an increase in the demand for employment candidates for both applicant and respondent teams. Due to market conditions firms have been asking for those with contentious experience and a capability to undertake advocacy and tribunal work. Salaries in this area have begun to improve and we predict this will continue to be a buoyant area of recruitment throughout 2011.

Crime:This has been an extremely quiet area throughout the last 2 years with very few redundancies or recruitment opportunities. Firms seem to be leaning towards hiring duty qualified solicitors over Legal Executives/ fee earners. There has been a slight increase for police station accredited representatives, but salaries remain lower than other disciplines.

Debt Recovery:Many expected that candidates in this area would be in demand in 2010 but unfortunately this was not the case. Many firms redeployed existing staff that would have otherwise faced redundancy, in order to deal with the increased caseloads. There are signs of slight improvement in this area at the start of 2011 and this may be the year where we see an increase in demand for debt and insolvency candidates.

Family:2010 was a year of mixed fortunes for family fee earners, the beginning of 2010 saw a number of redundancies in this area, followed by an increase in recruitment in the spring for those on the child and family panels. In autumn 2010 the changes in the LSC contracts resulted in some redundancies and a reduced demand for candidates. Going into 2011 we have noticed a slight upturn again for family candidates, although panel membership seems to be preferred.

Private Client: Was badly hit by redundancies and recruitment in this area was sporadic throughout 2009 and 2010, while we have seen a slight increase in the demand for high value wills, tax and trust candidates, recruitment demands and salaries in this area are likely to remain static in 2011.

Personal Injury: Recruitment of both claimant and defendant fee earners has remained consistent over the last 18 months and any negative affect that may have been caused by the 2010 MOJ reforms has yet to be noted. Firms still prefer to use paralegals and Legal Executives over solicitors in this area, and mid-level EL/PL candidates are especially in demand.

Property:As expected 2010 continued to be a difficult year for both commercial and residential property fee earners. While recruitment began in increase in the second half of 2010, roles were still sporadic and salaries rarely exceeded £20,000. The start of 2011 saw reports of increased workloads in the real estate teams at the top firms, but in contrast we also saw some redundancies in residential conveyancing. While top quality commercial property candidates may see an improvement throughout 2011, this year is likely to remain unchanged in terms of recruitment demands and salaries for residential conveyancers.

Professional Negligence: Out of the recession bore an increased demand for professional negligence fee earners of all levels, a fee earner with solid experience in this area can expect multiple recruitment options and good salary levels.

Cost Drafts: Costs has been a buoyant area of recruitment throughout 2010 and demand for these candidates shows no sign of decreasing in 2011. Both claimant and defendant costs candidates are highly sought after and salaries in this area are particularly high.