Manchester emerges as the leading city in the UK for hybrid and remote legal jobs.
- The University of Law conducted an analysis of over 1,000 legal job roles.
- 38% of all roles analyzed were remote or hybrid, showcasing a significant trend.
- London, despite its size, ranks behind Manchester in flexible job options.
- Remote work comprises 6% of all legal job listings, emphasizing a growing preference.
According to recent research by The University of Law, Manchester has been identified as the premier location for hybrid or remote roles in the legal profession. This study scrutinized over 1,000 job roles, revealing notable trends and insights about the current legal job market. 38% of the total positions examined were designated as remote or hybrid jobs. This trend underscores a growing shift towards flexibility in the legal sector.
Despite London’s status as a major metropolitan hub with the highest overall volume of job listings, it lags behind Manchester in terms of available hybrid or fully remote positions. This finding is notable, given London’s traditional prominence in the industry. The demand for flexible working arrangements is more pronounced outside the capital, indicating a shifting paradigm in the employment landscape.
The research pinpoints various cities with significant opportunities for hybrid roles in the legal domain. Manchester leads with 46% of its roles being hybrid or remote, followed by Liverpool, Birmingham, and Bristol, each with approximately 32%. Meanwhile, Leeds and Sheffield provide 22% and 31% hybrid or remote opportunities, respectively. The data highlights a growing acknowledgment of flexible work practices in these regional hubs.
Remote working, where no specific office location is required, constitutes 6% of the analyzed job roles. This highlights the potential for legal professionals to enter the workforce without incurring the high living costs associated with major urban areas. It reflects a clear shift towards embracing remote work as a viable option within the legal industry, expanding opportunities for professionals across diverse geographical locales.
Director of Employability at The University of Law, John Watkins, emphasized the importance of adapting to this changing work environment, noting that “remote working options are very much the norm now.” As remote and hybrid work continue to gain popularity, it is crucial for emerging talent to cultivate the skills necessary for thriving in these adaptable work settings. The trend may lead to a geographic shift of legal talent from traditional cities to more regional growth areas.
The evolving legal job market indicates a clear trend towards hybrid and remote work, reshaping traditional employment hubs.
