JOB MARKET: London hit harder by economic slowdown


Regional legal recruitment is in better shape than the London market, with solicitors more protected from the economic slowdown, research seen exclusively by the Gazette revealed this week.



An overview of activity in the regions produced by recruiters Hays Legal showed that firms outside London had continued to take on more solicitors this year.



The demand for corporate and commercial lawyers remained high across the regions according to the survey, with strong candidates commanding high-end salaries.



Niche areas such as projects and construction were thriving in Bristol and South Wales, while private client lawyers were also in high demand. Pensions, tax and competition practices in Midland firms remained strong.



However, Hays Legal director Oliver Gibbon said salaries were unlikely to rise significantly in the coming year, following hikes of 15% in 2007.



He added: 'While the legal community watches to see how London's assistant-heavy teams adapt to lower workflows, the regional firms are better protected from a slowdown and remain cautiously optimistic about how their businesses will ride out the less-favourable conditions of 2008'.



Alison Burgin, director of legal recruitment at Badenoch & Clark, said the regions had been less affected by the financial downturn than the City because of the types of clients they dealt with - they tended to be instructed by industry rather than financial clients.



She said the City legal market was not enduring a downturn, but rather a period of uncertainty.



Catherine Baksi