Joanna Marklove, Director, discusses the Insurance private practice market in 2025 and looks ahead to 2026.
From Joanna Marklove
We have seen some uplift in personal injury (PI) recruitment across the North West in the latter half of the year. After a period of caution caused by economic pressures and uncertainty around fixed recoverable costs (FRC) reforms, both claimant and defendant firms are now looking to strengthen and expand their PI teams.
Responding to Mazur
The Mazur judgment has created renewed focus across the market.
Claimant firms are responding to the decision by reassessing case strategies, costs forecasting and the viability of certain claim types, which has in turn driven demand for fee-earners who can adapt quickly to the post-Mazur landscape.
Defendant practices are seeking lawyers with strong technical skills.
Defendant practices, meanwhile, are seeking lawyers with strong technical skills to challenge costs arguments and handle the increased complexity of FRC-related disputes.
Injury and clinical negligence
Serious injury and catastrophic injury remain active areas, with firms recruiting at all levels as these departments continue to grow. Clinical negligence, particularly high-value and birth injury work, has remained robust on both sides, fuelled by ongoing scrutiny of NHS maternity services and increased caseloads arising from delayed diagnoses.
Casualty
Casualty teams continue to recruit steadily although claimant firms are being more selective, focusing heavily on candidates experienced in navigating the current FRC regime. Defendant insurance practices have been consistently busy, especially those handling large self-insured corporates and local authority work.
Cautious candidates and strategic hirers
The combination of economic uncertainty, evolving case values and the practical implications of Mazur has made many PI lawyers more cautious about moving roles. Candidates are increasingly seeking greater clarity on team stability, workflow, insurer relationships and long-term investment in PI departments before considering a move.
The full operational impact of the Mazur judgment will continue to shape the market, driving the need for adaptable, commercially aware lawyers on both sides.
Similarly, firms are being far more deliberate in their hiring decisions. Both claimant and defendant practices are assessing utilisation rates across multiple offices and weighing the impact of Mazur on revenue models before releasing new roles to the market.
While “speculative” hiring has reduced, the roles that are released tend to follow a more rigorous internal approval process, meaning that vacancies in the market are generally more strategically important and secure than in previous years.
Salaries and expectations
Salaries within PI have risen modestly this year. We have seen increases of around £1,000-£3,000 at junior levels, with experienced litigators, particularly in serious injury, commanding stronger uplifts thanks to sustained demand. We expect these trends to continue into 2025, although further economic instability or post-Mazur cost pressures may influence firms’ salary structures.
Hybrid working expectations have also shifted. Most PI firms now require office attendance at least two days a week, with some national practices increasing from two to three days to encourage collaboration, training, and improved supervision for junior lawyers.
The year ahead
So, what does 2025 look like for the PI market? We expect a broadly similar picture to 2024: measured recruitment, steady workflow and continued demand in key specialisms such as serious injury, clinical negligence, abuse, and defendant insurance work.
While firms remain cautious, the PI market is stable, active and steadily evolving.
The full operational impact of the Mazur judgment will continue to shape the market, driving the need for adaptable, commercially aware lawyers on both sides. We also anticipate further growth in claimant catastrophic injury teams and increased recruitment within defendant insurance practices as claims volumes rise.
Overall, while firms remain cautious, the PI market is stable, active and steadily evolving – and 2026 is likely to offer strong opportunities for lawyers who can navigate the post-Mazur environment with confidence.
