INTRODUCTION

Salaries inside mid-sized law firms don’t move in straight lines. They stretch when demand rises, tighten when confidence dips, and shift quietly as retention pressure builds.

We capture these movements each year, offering a clear view of how five core practice areas - the backbone of 20–200 employee firms - have changed across the last year.

This is not a salary table. It’s a calm, practical reflection of where the mid-market is pulling, loosening, and reshaping.

HOW TO READ THIS REPORT

• Movements below are approximate and reflect trends, not exact figures.
• Percentages show year-on-year salary movement for typical 20–200 employee firms.
• Figures are influenced by demand, retention pressure, regional confidence, and workload.
• The focus is on five core practice areas most relevant to mid-sized full-service firms.
• Cities selected represent the UK’s strongest salary-shaping hubs.
• This is designed to give clarity — not precision.

CITY-BY-CITY MOVEMENT

LONDON

Corporate Commercial — ▲ +11%

A competitive year, driven by strong SME activity and retention pressure at 2–6PQE.

Commercial Property — ▲ +12%

Still the most volatile area. Rising rents and refinancing activity created strong demand.

Residential Property — ▲ +7%

Smoother than last year. Interest rate stability softened movement but kept mid-levels tight.

Family — ▲ +8%

Steady demand with higher movement at senior-associate levels due to lateral hiring.

Private Client — ▲ +9%

Growing workloads and HNW activity kept salaries climbing, particularly at 3–7PQE.

BRISTOL

Corporate Commercial — ▲ +8%

Strong year for SMEs and tech-adjacent businesses pushed mid-level roles upward.

Commercial Property — ▲ +9%

Development projects and regional investment boosted demand for experienced fee-earners.

Residential Property — ▲ +5%

Movement remains modest but noticeable after a quieter 2023–24 cycle.

Family — ▲ +6%

Stable growth. Higher movement for firms with strong mediation practices.

Private Client — ▲ +7%

Gradual pressure as firms expand private wealth offerings to compete regionally.

BIRMINGHAM

Corporate Commercial — ▲ +7%

Business confidence improved, particularly for firms servicing manufacturing and retail.

Commercial Property — ▲ +8%

A healthy pipeline supported increases, especially at 4+ PQE levels.

Residential Property — ▲ +5%

Movement aligned with Bristol. Stability returning, but retention challenges persist.

Family — ▲ +6%

Growth driven by mid-market family firms expanding team structures.

Private Client — ▲ +6%

A rise in probate and estate work created steady but moderate upward pressure.

MANCHESTER

Corporate Commercial — ▲ +9%

The most active northern market. Salary pressure driven by aggressive lateral hiring.

Commercial Property — ▲ +10%

Surging demand for commercial development work kept salaries moving strongly.

Residential Property — ▲ +6%

Better stability than last year. Movement anchored by steady transaction volumes.

Family — ▲ +7%

Clear upward pull at mid-levels as firms compete for experienced specialists.

Private Client — ▲ +8%

Significant growth in private wealth teams across the region.

LEEDS

Corporate Commercial — ▲ +8%

Solid corporate activity across SMEs and regional PLCs fuelled upward movement.

Commercial Property — ▲ +9%

A strong year with consistent demand. Retention pressure at 2–5PQE drove increases.

Residential Property — ▲ +6%

Mirrors Manchester: stable, modest, predictable.

Family — ▲ +6%

A calm year with mild upward pressure, mainly driven by caseload growth.

Private Client — ▲ +7%

Steady demand across wills, probate and estate planning kept salaries ticking upward.

PRACTICE AREA INSIGHT

Corporate Commercial

Movement driven by SME activity, retention pressure, and steady deal flow.

Commercial Property

The clearest indicator of business confidence. Strong across all regions.

Residential Property

More stable than 2023–24. Movement reflects improved mortgage confidence.

Family

Predictable increases, especially at experienced mid-levels who remain in short supply.

Private Client

A standout area for long-term growth. Firms continue to build capability here.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR 20–200 FIRMS

Salary movement has been steady, not erratic. Commercial property and corporate continue to pull hardest, acting as the clearest indicators of confidence. Residential property is stabilising. Private Client remains a long-term growth area.

The real takeaway: mid-sized firms are paying for experience, not capacity. Salaries have increased most at mid-level PQE ranges, where hiring remains competitive and retention is strategically important.

These movements should shape:

• mid-year budget adjustments
• retention planning
• future hiring cycles
• expectations for the September–February surge

SOURCES & SIGNALS (Non-Exhaustive)

Used to inform movement estimates and commentary:

• Law Society Financial Benchmarking Survey
• Law Gazette Salary Review
• Clayton Legal Market Report
• Anthem Consulting Salary Survey
• ONS Wage Inflation & Regional Data
• Scale Lane’s own recruitment observations across 20–200 employee firms