Let’s look at legal trends of May 2025:

Tech & AI Integration

AI is muscling its way into UK law firms — Garfield AI can now send debt letters for £2, which is cheaper than a London coffee. Human oversight remains key, especially for training junior lawyers.

Client Demand for Value

Gone are the days when clients nodded along to eye-watering hourly rates. Today, they want clear prices, practical advice, and no surprises — think Uber, but for legal advice. Firms are being nudged toward fixed fees, value billing, and pretending they don’t miss timesheets (they totally do).

Market Growth

The UK legal market grew over 10% in 2024 — not bad for a sector that still uses fax machines. Corporate law is booming (again), while high-street firms are merging or closing faster than you can say “due diligence.” Private equity loves legal M&A — because nothing says romance like buying a bunch of lawyers.

Talent & Pay

Slaughter and May has frozen junior lawyer salaries at a cool £150,000, which still beats most job perks (free coffee, anyone?). Meanwhile, in-house roles are on the rise, especially in energy, tech, and companies that now realize, “maybe we should’ve had a lawyer read that contract.”

Regulation & Consolidation

Scotland is shaking up legal regulation, proving it’s not just about whisky and rugged landscapes. Across the UK, firm numbers are dropping — nearly 1,100 have vanished in five years — but solicitor headcount is up. Fewer firms, more lawyers... maybe they’re all cramming into the same office?