Tier 1 and Tier 2 Locums are the two different levels of registration available to solicitors and legal executives who want to register with us. Tier 1 Locums will have: A full CV on our system, detailing all work to…
Yes they do. All locum solicitors work on the basis that they are self employed, and as a result maintain their own practising certificates and their own CPD hours. You cannot expect a law firm or in house department you…
The most in-demand in-house roles are generalist positions with companies looking for a jack of all trades rather than a specialist from one particular sector. If you are able to do both corporate and commercial in equal measure you will…
Traditionally it used to be said by locums that they could pick up 8 out of every 12 months in locum work for property and private client, or for other areas of law of less intensity, 6 months out of…
For locum solicitors in the UK the busy period every year starts in May and runs through to September. This is the timeframe when annual leave cover is booked and firms often need extra help dealing with increased caseloads during…
Yes! Locum solicitors can be notoriously bad at keeping a record of their previous locum work history. This can be a complete nightmare for the recruitment agencies involved because it can leave them with no idea what the locum has…
There is no difference between a locum lawyer and an interim lawyer. It is just a question of language. We set up Interim Lawyers many years ago simply because all other domain names of a similar nature have been taken!…
We often see local authorities looking for staff and read about placements from our locums’ CVs showing hourly rates at levels rarely seen outside large London commercial practices. So for example we quite often notice that childcare lawyers coming from…
There are over a thousand regular locum solicitors and legal executives working in the UK. Some of these hold down a number of different roles, whether legal or non-legal, and undertake locum work either as a sideline or as a…
There are a number of professional locum solicitors in the UK who solely specialise in producing short-term cover to firms on an annual basis, and very often get a range of repeat bookings. There are also a number of semi-retired…
We have a full article on this including our guide to getting paid and a template for a 7 day letter before action. How to Get Paid – a Guide for Locums Chasing Payment
Q: Can NQ Solicitors work as Locums? A: No, not really. In most areas of law, solicitors firms are looking for experienced lawyers to cover annual leave, sick leave, long term absence, change of personnel, increase in workload, etc.. etc..…
Interesting you should ask! We have an article on the site setting out exactly what needs to be in the CV or you can download a CV writing pack from our sister site – www.legalcareercoaching.co.uk The article can be found…
There are certain areas of the UK where locums are in great demand and other areas where there appears to be a lot of them. Firstly, it is important to point out that certain types of locum are more in…
We normally advise not to attend. Over the years we have been dealing with locum assignments we find that the vast majority of interviews like this are a complete waste of time, both for the client (the law firm) and…
The quick answer to this question is yes, you can. We have had a couple of assignments covered by locums in the past who have conditions on their practising certificate, but this is very rare and opportunities where solicitors firms…
Be prepared to be very, very flexible. For example, if we email you on a Friday afternoon and ask you if you were free to go to Scarborough on the Monday morning, say yes. If we ask you to cover…
We don’t think so. In fact we would be glad to publish any reasoning from any umbrella company as to why a locum would want to use an umbrella company to get paid. Look at the facts. Assuming you do…
The use of the term ‘contractor’ tends to describe a situation where a lawyer or solicitor is working on an ongoing basis, usually to deal with excess capacity or a busy period. The use of the word ‘locum’ tends to be used…
Areas of law in demand are fairly straightforward. It is almost always the case that solicitors firms recruit Conveyancers to cover for annual leave, sick leave and maternity leave. Litigators can be covered for, or so the argument goes. After…
Q: I am a solicitor working for a law firm and looking to take on contracts elsewhere – is this possible? A: Yes. We have a number of solicitors registered with us as locums and contractors who work for one…
Q: How many locum legal recruitment agencies should I register my CV with? A: As many as you like, but we recommend giving one agency priority over others. This will be the agency you have your primary relationship with and…
Q: What do I do if I can’t fulfil an assignment? A: There will be occasional times as a locum solicitor when you will not be able to fulfil an assignment for one reason or another. It is absolutely vital…
Q: Who pays my Tax and N.I Insurance? A: Depends on whether you are self-employed (issuing an invoice at the end of each week) or whether you are on the temporary payroll. It is very important that you don’t spend…
Q: How much do I as a locum have to pay the agency? A: You pay nothing to us (in fact it is illegal for a recruitment agency to charge a candidate); we charge our Clients (law firms, in house…
Q: Why should I want to work as a locum? A: Working as a locum solicitor can offer flexibility, variety and a change of scenery on a regular basis. Whilst our order books in recent years have not exactly been…
Q: How do you communicate with your locums? A: We know that keeping our locums up to date with our business is important. That is why we produce our regular newsletter for candidates, both locum and permanent, which appears monthly…
When you get to the end of an assignment you can drop us an email and let us know you are available again. We always keep locums updated in any event with all assignments coming through to us, whether you…
Once you have registered, your details will be logged onto our locum database for the fields of law you have expressed an interest in. We do not tend to distinguish between our locums for different areas of the country, so…
Q: How do I register to work as a locum for Interim Lawyers? A: Click here to register as a locum. Once we have your registration we will log you onto our database and keep you posted with anything suitable…
Q: What do I do if I have had change in circumstances (i.e. a change of contact details)? A: It is important that you keep your locum records with us up-to-date, so that you can benefit firstly from finding out…
Q: Can my locum contract be checked? A: Lawyers uncertain about the terms on which they are being engaged as a locum, for example, whether or not they are self employed or an employee, can send a copy to us…
Q: Will working as a locum affect my chance of permanent employment in future? A: Yes. Quite simply, when the good times were booming, and law firms were recruiting permanent staff on high salaries and reasonable work conditions, the vast…
Q: Will I get any travelling allowance? A: We do not pay our locums anything and this includes expenses. It is quite rare to find law firms and in house legal departments prepared to pay expenses or a contribution…
Q: How, when and what will I be paid for my locum services? A: Locums are paid directly by the hiring law firm or in house legal department. Interim Lawyers do not employ locums directly. This is why the majority…
What are the terms and conditions of employment for a locum? This will depend upon whether you are self-employed or an employee of the law firm or in house legal department who have signed you. If you are engaged on…
What are the locum rates of pay for a solicitor or lawyer? This is a difficult question to answer but we have produced a rough guide which you can access by clicking here. The hourly or daily rate is usually…
Q: Am I covered by professional indemnity insurance if I work as a locum or do I need to take out a policy? A: Unlike doctors and other professions, solicitors’ firm Professional Indemnity Insurance usually covers locum solicitors working on behalf…
Am I considered as self-employed or as an employee? About 95% of locums working through Interim Lawyers are self employed. Working on a self-employed basis gives both the locum and the law firm or in house legal department so much…