National demand for ‘solicitors and lawyers’ will rise by more than 12% over the next nine years, according to the latest document to emerge under Whitehall’s industrial strategy. A Professional and Business Services Jobs Plan, published by the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, predicts that the number of professional services jobs will rise by 330,000 from the current 5 million by 2035. Solicitors and lawyers will account for 15,000 of those roles, the plan states. 

Actions to be taken under the plan include 'raising awareness of conveyancing careers'. The plan notes: 'The profession already plays a critical role in the transaction process by managing the legal transfer of property and ensuring buyers, sellers, and lenders have the information and assurances needed to complete a transaction safely. However, as with other parts of the legal services sector, conveyancers face increasing pressures as responsibilities have expanded and workloads have grown in recent years.'

Other actions include setting up a network of 'professional and business services regional hubs' to 'address labour shortages, increase workforce participation and support inclusive PBS growth across regions'. The hubs could support local employes, improve awareness of careers in the sector and broker work placements, the plan suggests. 

The plan also reveals that the inaugural meeting of the Judicial and Legal Diversity Board, co-chaired by the lady chief justice and the lord chancellor, agreed in May to set up a group to consider 'whether legal education, training, and qualification pathways are supporting the skills, capacity, and diversity needed by the legal services sector and judiciary now and in the future'.

Among the case studies cited in the plan is the Clifford Chance ACCESS programme, designed for year 12 students interested in a career in law and the Law Society’s Diversity and Access Scheme. 

In a foreword, small business minister Lord Leong (legal publishing entrepreneur Sonny Leong) states: 'Our ambition is clear: to maintain the UK’s position as the world’s second-largest exporter of professional and business services, reinforce our reputation as a trusted global adviser to industry, and build an even more dynamic, productive and internationally competitive sector.'