Life in the Law 2025
Act now and lead the way to a sustainable future
By Trish McLellan and Niamh Warnock
The legal sector has the opportunity to change for the better. Life in the Law 2025, LawCare’s latest research, shows that if we act now, we can create a sector where people feel supported, can build sustainable and successful careers, and where mental health and wellbeing are valued as an integral part of everyday working life culture.
What the research tells us
From January to March 2025, we asked people across the sector how working in law affects their mental health and wellbeing.
The research showed that there has been progress in some areas:
“More openness to talking about mental health. More access to counselling, wellbeing coaching and therapy services. More senior people being open about their own mental ill-health.”
A senior solicitor also reflected:
“Working from home has been a game changer in terms of managing childcare and managing my disability. I love it and it has prolonged my career by 10 years.”
Yet the findings show there’s still work to do:
- 56% said they could see themselves leaving their current workplace within the next five years, with 32% saying they could leave the sector entirely.
- Nearly 60% reported poor mental wellbeing.
- Almost 79% said they regularly work beyond their contracted hours.
- Only 31% of people who managed others said that their targets or billable hours were adjusted to take into account the time they need to spend managing others or undertaking appropriate training.
The quotes behind these statistics speak volumes. A licensed conveyancer told us:
“I would like to leave but couldn’t afford to and don’t know what else to do.”
A senior solicitor in England said simply:
“More work, shorter deadlines, fewer lawyers, higher pressure, more greed.”
Others pointed to long hours. One junior solicitor said:
“Monday to Friday my days are filled with work from getting up to going to bed after midnight, so there is no time for any other activity.”
The need for stronger people management came through strongly in comments. One person said:
“People management is a special skill… it does not follow that because someone is a good lawyer, they are a good manager.”
Why mental health and wellbeing matters
When people in the legal sector are healthy and well, the whole profession benefits. Lawyers who feel supported are more focused, better equipped to handle pressure, and able to make sound ethical decisions. They bring clarity of thought, stronger relationships with colleagues and clients, and the energy needed to do their best work.
But when wellbeing is neglected, the effects ripple out far beyond the individual. High levels of stress and burnout can lead to increased sick leave and people leaving their jobs - or even the profession altogether. Overwork and exhaustion raise the risk of errors, which in turn can compromise judgement and ethical decision-making. Over time, this doesn’t just harm careers, it undermines confidence in the whole sector, damaging both reputation and public trust.
What can help
The good news is that there are clear, practical steps that can make a real difference. The report highlights five key areas for action:
- Tackle overwork – manage workloads, rethink targets, and challenge the culture of long hours.
- Support managers – train and support people to manage effectively and recognise that management is a vital skill.
- Offer flexibility – embed hybrid and flexible working in ways that support diverse needs.
- Check what works – regularly review wellbeing initiatives and adapt as necessary.
- Properly prepare future lawyers – equip students and trainees with the appropriate skills they need for a sustainable career.
Leadership is key
As LawCare CEO Elizabeth Rimmer says:
“We have it in our hands to transform the way we work and build a future where people are supported to perform at their best and build sustainable careers. The path to prioritising mental health and wellbeing before us is clear. Now is the time for leaders to act with courage: move away from practices that normalise overwork, which risk driving people out of the sector, and take the path to a better future by valuing people management.”
Leadership makes a vital difference. By valuing people, making space for good management, and moving away from practices that normalise overwork, we can build a legal sector that is healthy and sustainable.
A shared responsibility for the future
Life in the Law 2025 is a wake-up call - but also an opportunity to do better. Many people in law are struggling, but we now know the steps that can help.
📢 Read the full Life in the Law 2025 report here: https://lawcare.org.uk/life-in-the-law/
In 2026 LawCare will start a programme of engagement to develop resources and training to support leaders and organisations to put these recommendations into practice. Follow LawCare on LinkedIn or visit www.lawcare.org.uk to see what is coming up.
