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Unfortunately the large numbers working part time in the public sector - in all roles, not just in legal departments - is part of the reason why there is still such a heavy reliance upon temps. The agency temp/locum living near enough to the place of work not to need IR35 ( deductibility of travel costs, but this can only last 12 months in any one placement) is in many case the mainstay of the department because they are the only person working full time on the premises, and many service managers would rather keep their temp and lose a couple of part-timers.

In times of crisis, the part time employee is only too likely to say, "Well, I have to pick little Jonny up so I'm still going at 3.00", while the temp will stay till 8.00, do the job, and it's £500+VAT at the end of the week. But it's no hassle for the manager.

These arrangements with a good LOCAL temp can go on for years, ie those who don't need IR35. They are well paid because as Limb B workers they don't get the pension, sick pay, or paid holiday. The downside, for both parties, is that a public body, or at least a local authority, can't just slot them in temp to perm, and in many cases the individual doesn't want to go through a recruitment process with the fact they are doing the job taken out of the equation.

A lot of people have been shot down in flames for saying that two women have to be trained as doctors to do the same amount of work over 35 years as one man, and quite frankly, in these days of limited resources, is it wrong to give preference to the person who is going to be a whole of life full time worker? I'd personally go for the full time man every time.