The legal profession is under more strain than ever and the sector is at risk of haemorrhaging talent, with nearly 30 per cent of professionals saying they could see themselves leaving their current role within the next year.
The Life in the Law 2025 survey, based on responses from 1,541 individuals and 82 organisations across the UK legal sector, paints a stark picture of burnout, poor wellbeing, and a growing desire to leave.
Nearly 60 per cent of respondents report poor mental wellbeing, while 43 per cent say their mental health is “very significantly” influenced by work. Half of surveyed legal professionals admit to frequent or constant anxiety in the past year.
The report suggests that a key driver of distress is work intensity. Nearly 79 per cent of respondents regularly work beyond contracted hours – and 8.5 per cent estimate they put in 21+ extra hours per week.
A lack of effective workplace wellbeing programmes across the sector is also a concern. Even where organisations have wellbeing initiatives, the report states that many are reactive, awareness-driven or add-ons – lacking fit-for-purpose evaluation or anchoring in prevention.
Perhaps the most worrying figure shows that more than half (56 per cent) of respondents say they could see themselves leaving their current workplace within five years – and nearly one in three (32 per cent) consider leaving the legal profession altogether.
In her foreword to the report, Baroness Carr of Walton-on-the-Hill, Lady Chief Justice of England and Wales, said the report is a timely reminder how the law profession was facing entirely new pressures – and the ways to alleviate them are often dragging behind. Baroness Carr writes:
“The delivery of justice, legal services and how we work in the legal sector are undergoing a profound transformation. Many in the sector now have flexible working patterns. Artificial intelligence is developing at pace. Client expectations are evolving. The regulatory landscape is changing. Against this backdrop, there is a greater focus than ever before on mental health and wellbeing. This valuable research from LawCare offers a timely insight into the mental health of people across the legal sector at all levels and how organisations are responding.
The recommendations present a clear opportunity for leaders across the profession to engage strategically with wellbeing, as a core part of building healthier, more forward-thinking workplaces. The legal sector helps to uphold the rights and responsibilities that shape our communities. Its long-term sustainability relies not only on attracting and retaining people, but on fostering a culture where people can grow, contribute fully and choose to stay.
Prioritising mental health is essential if we are to build a sector that is inclusive, resilient and fit for the future.”
The report offers five evidence-based steps to help employers in the sector tackle the challenges.
Actively manage workloads — challenge the culture of long hours, rethink incentives and targets, and identify systemic causes of overcapacity,
Prioritise and resource people management — equip managers with training, time, support; acknowledge that legal technical skill alone does not make a good manager.
Embed hybrid and flexible working — while recognising the risks of isolation, these arrangements must be thoughtfully designed and co-constructed.
Evaluate mental health programmes — organisations must rigorously assess whether their wellbeing initiatives are effective, make adjustments, and be accountable.
Reform legal education and training — future entrants must be prepared not only technically, but with awareness of sustainable working, resilience, and mental health skills.
