Candidate Resources

A complete guide to being a legal locum

5 January 2026 11 mins

By Sellick Partnership

If you’re a legal candidate considering a locum job, you may be unsure of what's involved. Many candidates assume that becoming a legal locum is more complex than it actually is. However, our expert teams support legal locum candidates daily, providing advice and answering questions on assignment length, pay, sectors, and how to make a smooth transition. 

This guide brings together the full picture, covering both general locum work and what to expect if you're working in the public sector. You can also take a look at our legal recruitment page to find out more. 

Who typically becomes a legal locum?

Generally, legal professionals opt for locum jobs to accommodate other interests. Legal locums could be: 

Retired or semi-retired Lawyers.  
Lawyers returning to work and gaining experience.  
Candidates seeking project work. 
Lawyers transitioning to a different area of law. 
Newly qualified (NQ) Solicitors exploring new disciplines.
Candidates wanting flexibility.  
Candidates not looking to work all year round.

Beginning your journey as a legal locum

If you’re considering legal locum work, speaking with a specialist recruiter early can help you plan the transition effectively. We encourage legal professionals exploring locum roles to contact us to discuss the best approach based on their experience, practice area and career goals.

Many candidates moving into locum work have mortgages to pay and families to support, so it’s essential to understand the financial implications of moving away from a permanent salary. Careful planning is a key part of becoming a successful legal locum, and we support candidates at every stage to ensure a smooth and sustainable transition.

Where possible, we work to secure ongoing locum assignments as candidates approach the end of their current contract, helping to maintain continuity of work and income. This proactive approach allows legal locums to benefit from the flexibility of contract work without unnecessary gaps between roles. For further insight, read our blog on continuity and flexibility in the locum market.

A blue background with white text Description automatically generated

What are the benefits of being a legal locum?

Attractive pay

Legal locums often earn higher hourly rates than permanent roles, provided they have the right skills. Key reasons include:

Short-notice roles: Many positions arise urgently, allowing locums to charge a premium.
Flexibility: Locums often take on project work or ad-hoc responsibilities to support permanent staff.
Independence: Roles frequently involve working independently and covering for permanent staff, requiring immediate impact with minimal supervision.

This combination makes legal locum jobs financially rewarding for skilled legal professionals.

Flexibility and work-life balance

Higher hourly rates allow legal locums to earn more in less time, giving greater control over work schedules and supporting a better work-life balance.

Variety and career development

Locum work offers exposure to a wide range of organisations and legal areas. Benefits include:

Gaining experience unavailable to many permanent staff.
Exploring new areas of law or developing niche skills, such as IT or case management.
Enhancing your CV and building a diverse skillset.

Candidates may use locum work as a temporary step before securing a permanent role, or choose it as a long-term career - what we call “career locums.” Either approach provides valuable experience and opens doors to new opportunities. We have a strong record of supporting candidates moving from locum roles to permanent employment, and vice versa.  

Career progression

Contrary to common misconceptions, locum work can support career growth. Locums often:

Take on greater responsibility.
Broaden their legal expertise.
Develop skills that support promotion to senior roles.

Read more in our article on progression as a legal locum. 

How will I be paid as a legal locum?

Umbrella company

Many legal locums are paid through an umbrella company. You submit weekly timesheets, which your line manager approves, and the umbrella company handles tax and National Insurance before paying you. For more information view our blog on choosing an umbrella company.

PAYE through Sellick Partnership

Alternatively, you can be paid via PAYE through Sellick Partnership. Holiday pay is collected in a separate pot for use during or at the end of an assignment.

IR35 considerations

Public sector roles often fall inside IR35, affecting limited company arrangements. Rates are often adjusted to reflect this. Check out our “advice for contractors” page to learn more.

Benefits and entitlements

Legal locums are entitled to employment benefits, including:

Holiday pay
Sick pay
Pension contributions

Many organisations offer locums benefits comparable to permanent staff to retain top legal talent. Hourly rates depend on the sector you work in, the role, the organisation, and where the role is based, as well as the flexibility the client can offer.  Interested in finding out how much you could earn as a legal locum?  Contact a member of our public sector or private sector recruitment team.  

Moving between locum assignments

Recruiters who are locum recruitment experts play a key role in securing your next assignment. At Sellick Partnership, we maintain relationships with leading legal firms nationwide, keeping candidates informed about opportunities.

If you’re nearing the end of an assignment, we provide guidance to ensure a smooth transition.

Contact our recruitment team to explore current locum opportunities.

Succeeding as a legal locum: practical tips from the market

Maintaining a successful career as a legal locum can be challenging if not managed correctly. However, when approached in the right way, the rewards can be significant – including attractive pay, improved work-life balance and rapid skills development.

Drawing on our daily conversations with legal locums across the public and private sectors, we’ve outlined our practical advice on how to stay in demand and secure the best assignments.

1. Keep your CV detailed and up to date

A strong, detailed CV is essential for legal locums. Despite this, many candidates undersell their experience.

Your CV should clearly outline:

The size and value of caseloads managed
Types of matters handled
Levels of autonomy and responsibility
Whether you worked with support staff
Systems and case management software used

If you have completed numerous locum assignments, grouping roles together and summarising key organisations and responsibilities can be an effective way to keep your CV concise while avoiding unexplained gaps.

If you need support with your legal locum CV, our recruitment teams are always happy to advise.

2. Be flexible about location and working arrangements

Legal locum roles arise across the UK, often at short notice. The most suitable assignment for your skillset may not always be on your doorstep. Where possible, being open to working away from home or adopting remote or hybrid arrangements can significantly increase opportunities. In many cases, we work with clients to agree rates that ensure candidates are not financially disadvantaged.

3. Do your research before each assignment

Every organisation is different. Before starting a new locum role, it’s important to research the organisation, its culture and the type of work it undertakes. Reviewing websites, LinkedIn pages and recent news can help you understand expectations, integrate quickly and make a positive first impression.

4. Remember, your reputation matters

In the locum market, reputation is everything. Repeat assignments and referrals often form the backbone of a successful locum career.

We strongly recommend:

Committing to assignments until completion wherever possible
Avoiding early exits unless unavoidable
Leaving clear handover notes and highlighting urgent matters

Finishing well leaves the door open for future opportunities and strengthens your professional standing.

5. Ask for feedback and use it constructively

Feedback is a valuable tool for legal locums. It helps:

Build confidence
Identify strengths
Highlight areas for development

Always ask for feedback at the end of an assignment and take constructive points on board. Continuous improvement is one of the reasons many locums progress quickly.

6. Keep references fresh

Recent, relevant references are critical for securing ongoing locum work. Where possible, aim to keep references from assignments completed within the last 12 months. Strong references demonstrate consistency, reliability and current market performance.

7. Work hard and be helpful

Locum references often come not only from supervising lawyers, but also from colleagues and support staff. Being professional, approachable and helpful can make a real difference. A positive attitude is frequently reflected in stronger references and repeat bookings.

Do you still have reservations about working as a legal locum?

One of the main concerns we hear from legal candidates is assignment length. Many assume locum work lasts only a few weeks or a month - this isn’t the case.

One of the core benefits of legal locum jobs is flexibility. You often have the power to decide how long you stay with an employer. In our experience, most roles last two to three months at a minimum, though some candidates remain on the same assignment for years.

This means locum work can offer both variety and, surprisingly, job security. At the same time, you’re not tied to any one organisation. Staying in regular contact with your legal Recruitment Consultant is crucial - if you’re ready for a new challenge, we can help you secure your next legal locum role.

Working as a legal locum in the public sector

Public sector locum work appeals to many legal professionals due to its competitive rates, longer assignment lengths, and opportunities to broaden legal experience. Below is a breakdown of typical public sector locum pay rates.

Public sector locum pay rates:

Qualified Solicitor with local authority experience: £50–60/hr (~£68–88k/year)
Newly Qualified Solicitor: £30–40/hr (~£39–49k/year)
Experienced Paralegal: £25–35/hr (~£29–39k/year)
Graduates or Legal Assistants: £18–25/hr (~£20–29k/year)

Assignment lengths and scope:

Contracts typically last at least 2–3 months, though some locums remain with one employer for years.
Public sector placements offer insight into different systems and areas of law, helping you broaden experience quickly.

Every placement provides exposure to new case management systems and specialist topics - making it an ideal way to upskill and expand legal expertise. Many locums go on to permanent roles or take on greater responsibility in new areas of law.

Getting started and staying in demand

How to begin:

Don’t quit your permanent job before planning your budget and transition strategy.
Register with Sellick Partnership and chat to our team to map out your approach and find suitable assignments.

Finding your next role:

Stay in regular dialogue with your Recruitment Consultants - many assignments are offered before they’re publicly advertised.
Find out more here about Choosing the right legal recruiter: key factors to consider.
Use locum assignments as bridges, stop-gap work, or long-term career paths.

Final thoughts and advice

Becoming a legal locum can deliver enhanced work-life balance, new opportunities, and lucrative pay. Whether your motivation is flexibility or exploring new areas of law, locum work can be an extremely rewarding career route.

To begin this transition with confidence, carefully plan your move and understand the nuances of locum work - including payment structures, employment rights, and assignment lengths. Most importantly, seek the support of specialist legal Recruitment Consultants.

Our locum candidates regularly tell us how much they enjoy their assignments. If you’re interested in becoming a legal locum or want to discuss the roles currently available, contact us today or visit our dedicated legal recruitment page.  

Alternatively, you can keep up to date with all our latest news and resources for legal locums in the Insights section of our website.