Scottish Legal Recruitment Newsletter
Q3 2025 (October – December)
Q3 Overview
As Q3 draws to a close, recruitment activity across the Scottish legal market remained consistently busy, with firms continuing to hire rather than slowing down toward year end. Given standard three-month notice periods, much of the recruitment activity seen between October and December was driven by firms aiming to secure headcount ahead of the end of the financial year.
Hiring was steady across all levels, with a particular emphasis on senior hires, while junior recruitment was more limited, largely reflecting timing, with most newly qualified solicitors having only recently started their roles in September.
Practice Areas – Increased Activity
While recruitment activity remained broad-based, several practice areas saw a notable increase in demand during Q3:
- Personal Injury – continued to be particularly busy, with demand for experienced litigators remaining strong
- Construction – increased recruitment driven by infrastructure and development-related work
- Corporate – steady hiring across NQ to senior associate level
- Private Client – continued recruitment as firms looked to strengthen and future-proof teams
In addition, there were a small number of roles in more niche areas, including Professional Indemnity and IPTC, reflecting targeted hiring where firms had specific client or workflow requirements.
Overall, firms were not pausing recruitment and continued to hire where there was a clear business need.
NQ Salaries – Publicly Reported Figures
Although Q3 is not typically an active period for NQ movement, salary benchmarking remained a key discussion point.
Publicly reported NQ salaries in Scotland currently include:
- DLA Piper – £82,000
- Burges Salmon – £72,000
- CMS – £68,000
- Pinsent Masons – £66,000
- Dentons – £65,000
Across the wider Scottish market, most independent firms are paying NQ salaries in the late £40,000s to early £50,000s, depending on location and practice area. The continued publication of NQ salaries by larger national and international firms continues to influence expectations and market benchmarking.
Firm Launches & Expansion Activity
Q3 saw continued investment and expansion across the Scottish legal market, with a number of firms either strengthening or growing their presence:
- Lewis Silkin launched a new employment law offering in Scotland in August, opening a Glasgow office with a three-person team. The firm attracted individuals from Addleshaw Goddard and Pinsent Masons, reinforcing its intention to build a strong Scottish employment practice.
- andersonbain LLP, opened a dedicated Glasgow office in August to service its growing Central Belt client base.
- Beale & Co established its first Scottish office in Glasgow in 2024, and has continued to grow its offering throughout Q3, further strengthening its insurance and construction capability in the region.
- Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP completed its move to a new, combined office base in Edinburgh’s Exchange District in December, following its collaboration with Davidson Chalmers Stewart, operating under a single brand from one location.
- Addleshaw Goddard announced significant expansion plans during 2025, taking 83% more space in Glasgow and 60% more space in Edinburgh, reflecting continued growth and long-term commitment to the Scottish market.
- Brodies expanded its English presence with the opening of a Leeds office and the hire of a construction team, complementing its existing Scottish operations.
Looking Ahead
As the Q3 financial year concludes and firms move into Q4 planning, recruitment activity remains ongoing, with many teams focused on securing hires ahead of year end while beginning to plan for 2026.
We will be releasing our NQ Guide in the new year, providing clear insight into NQ salaries, qualification considerations, and early-career decision-making. We will also be hosting our first NQ event, with further details to be shared shortly.
Contact our Legal Specialists:
Emma Pringle (Associate Director – HR & Legal) – emma.pringle@iconicresourcing.com
Connie Nimmo (Legal recruitment specialist) – connie.nimmo@iconicresourcing.com