As the legal profession looks ahead to 2026, the direction of travel is becoming clearer. Structural pressures, market consolidation and questions about the profession’s social responsibility are shaping a sector at a crossroads.
Like many across the industry, we are reflecting not just on what may change next year, but on what should. Our Senior Partner, Matthew Garrod, shares his perspective on just a few of the defining themes for the year ahead.
Legal aid: a test of values as well as viability
“As legal aid remains chronically underfunded and overstretched, we can expect the pressure on legal aid services to intensify in 2026, leaving even fewer firms like ours able to sustain a commitment to providing it. If the UK wants to maintain its position as a global leader in legal services, sustained investment in legal aid has to be part of that picture in 2026. We would expect - and hope – to see further commitments from government this year that make it viable for more firms to invest in legal aid - because ultimately, it is the right thing to do for the profession and for society.”
Access to justice is not a side issue for the profession; it is fundamental to its credibility. The decisions taken in 2026 will determine whether legal aid remains a core pillar of the profession, or continues to be squeezed to the margins.
Mergers: scale versus service
“The recent wave of legal mega-mergers – which we can expect to accelerate further this year, absorbing more longstanding UK legal brands – continues to be designed to serve a relatively narrow segment of the market. As this trend gathers pace in 2026, it will only sharpen the differentiation for independent UK law firms like ours: clients want senior-led advice, continuity of relationships and depth of expertise, not scale for scale’s sake.”
As consolidation continues, the distinction between scale and substance is likely to become more pronounced. For many clients, the appeal of independence lies in consistency, accessibility and long-term relationships - qualities that risk being diluted as firms grow ever larger.
Private equity and alternative paths to growth
“In an environment of ongoing merger-mania in 2026, those priorities will only intensify. Private equity may be part of the future of the legal market, but it is not the only path forward. Looking to 2026, our experience shows that disciplined financial management and a strong partnership model can deliver investment, resilience and growth - without sacrificing independence or the culture that sits at the heart of who we are. Because for us, culture isn’t a slogan, it’s the foundation of a resilient and responsible firm.”
As external investment continues to reshape parts of the market, firms will increasingly need to be clear about what they stand for - and how they grow without compromising their identity.
Looking forward to 2026, the sector’s success will not be measured solely by size or speed of growth, but by the quality of advice, the strength of professional values and the ability to adapt while staying true to its foundations.
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