Legal Jobs in Scotland: What Trends Are Hot Right Now

The inside scoop from our latest report on what makes Scots lawyers tick

Curious what’s shaping legal recruitment in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and beyond? Our 2024/25 Scottish Legal Market Report shows what lawyers really care about – from flexible working to rising in-house roles. Law firms and in-house teams can also use these insights to plan recruitment and spot talent trends.

Our insights come from JMC’s Scottish Market Survey, market-tracking databases, and hundreds of conversations with lawyers across Scotland. Whether you’re considering a move in-house, weighing up private practice, or just curious about Scotland’s legal market, here’s what’s happening behind the scenes.

From Solo Lawyers to City Teams: In-House Legal Jobs in Scotland

So, what’s driving this growth in in-house roles, and where are lawyers working? Let’s take a closer look. While London still dominates the in-house legal scene, the market for in-house roles in Scotland is healthy and growing each year. But it’s not all big teams in gleaming skyscrapers.

Here’s a snapshot of where lawyers are working across the country:

• Edinburgh: 1,622 in-house lawyers, with strong representation in financial services, government HQs, and public sector organisations
• Glasgow: 589 in-house lawyers, working across energy, banking, media, and public sector teams
• Aberdeen: 278 in-house lawyers, dominated by oil and gas sectors
• Small teams: Across Scotland, 512 organisations have very small in-house teams – usually just one to three lawyers

While the big cities naturally attract the largest legal teams, most organisations still run small. Even in Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Aberdeen, plenty of businesses operate with just a couple of in-house lawyers.

That means more responsibility (and more variety) in the role. And demand from lawyers still outstrips the supply of vacancies significantly, so if you’re hunting in-house legal jobs in Scotland, the competition is real.

In-house salaries in Scotland generally trail what lawyers can earn in private practice, with pay topping the list of gripes, followed by career progression and the variety of work.

On the upside, work-life balance scores higher than in law firms – so the old trade-off between pay and lifestyle still holds true. But in-house law isn’t the whole story. Private practice still dominates the legal vacancies in Scotland, and movements here tell us a lot about broader trends.

Scotland’s Solicitor Shuffle

While in-house roles are growing, most solicitor recruitment in Scotland still happens in private practice. Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen are buzzing with activity. So, if you’re checking legal vacancies in Scotland, it helps to know where lawyers are moving and why.

Crunching the numbers: Scotland’s Legal Market

• Total qualified solicitors: Approx 12,000
• Private Practice: Around 8,200 lawyers
• In-House: 2,967 lawyers across 512 organisations

Role changes in 2024:

• Total moves: 560 lawyers
• Most active areas: Real Estate, Private Client, Personal Injury, Commercial Litigation, Employment
• Least active areas: Commercial/TMT, Planning, Rural, Banking & Finance
• By experience: 1–10 PQE – 292 moves. Senior lawyers stepping into partnerships – 91 moves

Where moves happened:

• Edinburgh – 234 moves
• Glasgow – 172 moves
• Aberdeen – 44 moves
• Out of Scotland – London 31, elsewhere in UK 17, international 10

The takeaway? The Scottish legal market is buzzing, especially in private practice, with legal recruitment in Glasgow and Edinburgh the most active. Early and mid-career solicitors have the most movement, while the senior end is still busy snapping up partnerships.

Numbers tell one story, but why are solicitors switching roles? Let’s look into the motivations.

Why lawyers move

Our 2024/25 Scottish Legal Market Report reveals what really matters to solicitors and that gives us a good indication as to why lawyers decide to switch roles. Flexible working and work-life balance top the list, closely followed by salary, team culture, and the type of work on offer.

Compare this to the UK, where salary still often sits at the top, it shows that lawyers north of the border don’t always share the same motivations. Career progression, benefits, and ongoing training are also important, while factors like commute or CSR commitments matter less.

These priorities explain the trends we’re seeing in 2025 – lawyers in Scotland are moving to roles that better align with lifestyle and career goals, while firms that match these expectations are the ones attracting, and keeping, top talent.

Where the talent goes in Scotland

It also helps to know where demand is strongest.

Hot sectors for legal talent in 2025:

• Construction & Infrastructure Projects – high-volume work and career progression opportunities
• Real Estate & Energy (Commercial, Projects, Real Estate) – strong demand for specialised expertise
• Employment & Corporate Tax – career stability and exposure to complex cases
• Funds & Pensions – attractive for mid-career lawyers looking to specialise

Compare that to England which sees stronger demand in TMT, Corporate, and Finance roles.

Understanding which sectors are hot is one thing, but what about the pay that comes with these opportunities?

Law Salaries in Scotland

The salary landscape in Scotland has shifted noticeably over the past five years, with higher salaries creating more competition for top talent. While many lawyers have seen their pay rise, some experienced professionals find themselves earning less than newer colleagues – something we hear often. Scotland’s median wages remain lower than London and some major English cities like Manchester, Leeds, and Birmingham, so there’s still room for growth.

The full salary guide in the report gives a more detailed breakdown. Bear in mind this is a general guide only. It doesn’t include bonuses or benefits, and salaries can vary significantly depending on region, practice area, and firm size. Use it to benchmark your salary and plan your next move.

Understanding these trends can help you gauge your market value and make informed decisions about whether a move, in-house or in private practice, is right for you. At JMC Legal, we’re happy to discuss the numbers and what they mean for your career.

Next Steps for Lawyers in Scotland

All of this paints a picture of a dynamic legal market – but what does it mean for you?

The market for legal jobs in Scotland is active and evolving. From solicitor recruitment in Scotland to where lawyers move, why, and their shifting salaries – staying informed helps you make smarter career decisions.

Curious how you stack up? Download the full Scottish Legal Market Report and chat to Jules Grieve or Tilly Scott about your next move.  You can also read more about legal recruitment in Scotland here.

Further Reading:
[Scotland's Next Legal Frontier]
[Is the Scottish Legal Market About to Get Even Bigger?]