London Legal Jobs

Legal Jobs London

With a team of recruiters who are themselves experienced UK lawyers, Burgess Paluch has been helping Australians and New Zealanders find rewarding law jobs in London. Australians and New Zealanders are well thought of in the City, and there are several pathways that enable them to obtain the necessary permits to practise law in the UK. Lawyers from Australia are entitled to requalify as solicitors in England by sitting the Qualified Lawyers Transfer Test. The Law Society will determine which parts of the test a lawyer needs to pass, depending on their professional qualifications and experience. Employers know this, and are often happy to employ Australian and New Zealanders with the right CV, confident that the necessary permissions will be forthcoming in due course. As a destination for ambitious Australian lawyers with a travel bug, London has long been the destination. The lure of the City and the Magic Circle, the travel opportunities and the inherent appeal of living in one of the world's greatest cities have kept it at the top of the list for good reasons. However, the impact of the Global Financial Crisis on the City, the currency and the employment market – generally and for foreign lawyers in particular – have dimmed its gleam in recent years. So, is it still worth considering? We think so:

Legal Recruitment London

Burgess Paluch is one of the most successful Australian legal recruitment companies in terms of assisting Australian and New Zealand lawyers looking to work in England, and in particular London. London remains a very popular destination for lawyers wishing to work overseas. Australians have been travelling to London and regional England to live and work as lawyers for decades. While Australian lawyers require a work permit for England, the process of obtaining it is often largely taken care of by the employer, who must apply for the work permit on their behalf. In certain circumstances Australians are also be eligible for ancestry or work visas.

Law firms in London will often hire Australian qualified lawyers even if those lawyers are not qualified to practice in England. Australian lawyers may seek to be admitted as a solicitor and barrister in England and Wales – litigators especially will need to look at this. Lawyers from Australia are entitled to requalify as solicitors in England by sitting the Qualified Lawyers Transfer Test. The Law Society will determine which parts of the test a lawyer needs to pass, depending on their professional qualifications and experience.

The market in London is improving steadily and is receptive to capable Australian lawyers, and the market in the larger regional centres of the UK improves each year. The cost of living in London is generally considered to be relatively high by Australian standards (particularly housing), however, higher salaries can more than compensate. The cost of accommodation is much lower in regional centres, as are salaries.

Working in London

The UK remains the 6th largest economy in the world and, though one of the worst hit by the GFC, is starting to grow again. Despite the current hurdles, it is predicted to continue to be a powerfully attractive business destination in years to come, largely because of the favourable policy approach to business and foreign investment, and the flexible labour market. Financial services continue to be the most likely source of economic growth and activity.

The personal and professional links for Australians in London make it one of the easiest places in the world to quickly become involved. There is a huge Australian expat community: More than 106,000 Australian born citizens currently live there, almost half of them in London. If you need to find them, look in one of the major Australian owned pubs! We also have a significant trade relationship with the UK (our largest trading partner in the EU) and it is our 2nd most important investment destination. There are also hundreds of Australian companies and investors active in the UK, with a large number using the UK as a base for continental Europe.

Living in London

The appeal of London goes beyond the career opportunities: the city itself is fabulous – beautiful, historical, food actually good, so close to gorgeous countryside in the Cotswolds and Cornwall. Whether you are in London or regional UK, the travel opportunities are amazing – the appeal of fast and well priced flights to weekends in Europe hardly need extrapolation. Paris is a train-ride away, and the myriad Mediterranean beaches, the culture and excitement of Berlin, and the burgeoning tourist destinations in Central and Eastern Europe are just as easy to access. Unfortunately, London is a vast conurbation, and its inner city residential accommodation is extremely scarce and consequently pricey. Burgess Paluch prides itself on the relocation advice it gives to candidates, helping them with accommodation and all aspects of moving to London.

Some of the world's best parks, museums, shopping, theatre, art galleries generally enjoying the madness of ancient and modern all jumbled together amongst quintessential Britain and the variety that its status as an immigration hub and world city gives it.

Requalifying in England and UK

England, and in particular London, remains the most popular destination for Australian and New Zealand lawyers. Australians have been travelling to London and regional England to live and work as lawyers for decades. While Australian lawyers require a work permit for England, the process of obtaining it is often largely taken care of by the employer, who must apply for the work permit on their behalf. Dependant spouses and children under 18 must obtain entry clearance from the UK consular section prior to departing Australia. While relatively recent changes to the age-based “working holiday visa” have allowed Australians more freedom to work as professionals, law firms appear to prefer to continue to provide sponsorship and to employ lawyers seeking a more long-term role.

Australian lawyers wishing to practice in England must register with the Law Society of England and Wales, as a Registered Foreign Lawyer. They may also seek to be admitted as a solicitor and barrister in England and Wales. Lawyers from Australia are entitled to requalify as solicitors in England by sitting the Qualified Lawyers Transfer Test. The Law Society will determine which parts of the test a lawyer needs to pass, depending on their professional qualifications and experience.

The market in London remains receptive to capable Australian lawyers and the market in the larger regional centres of the UK improves each year. The cost of living in London is generally considered to be relatively high by Australian standards (particularly housing), however, higher salaries can more than compensate. The cost of accommodation is much lower in regional centres, as are salaries. A spouse has the right to live and work in the UK with their partner, however, de facto partners do not have this right.

Search our vacancies on this page or email a CV on [email protected] or call Doron Paluch on +61 3 8676 0302 to find out more