Why more Paralegals are turning to locum work in local government

As the legal landscape continues to evolve, many Paralegals – particularly those working within local government - are rethinking the traditional career path. While permanent roles have long been seen as the default route, we’re seeing a growing number of Paralegals recognising the advantages of taking on locum assignments. 

Locum work offers Paralegals the chance to explore alternative career paths that can offer greater flexibility than permanent roles, as well as an opportunity in a wide variety of practice areas. From short-term cover to long-term placements, these opportunities are becoming a strategic way for ambitious Paralegals to develop their careers. 

Locum to permanent employment 

One of our candidates began her career focusing solely on permanent opportunities, but found the market tough – particularly for graduates looking to stand out. Instead, she decided to explore locum opportunities as a way to get some experience and strengthen her CV. 

Through Sellick Partnership, she secured a locum role within a local authority legal team, gaining valuable experience in childcare and adult social care law. She emphasised that different regions and types of local authorities (for example, district, borough or unitary councils) offer different kinds of exposure, giving Paralegals the chance to shape their experience strategically.  

“Locum work always gives you space for progression,” she explained. “It’s a really good route to get your foot in the door, and one I had overlooked to be honest.” 

She went on: “Organisations are often more willing to give you a chance at that level in a locum role. There’s less commitment for the client, which means Paralegals can show off their skills and gain experience they might not have been offered straight away in a permanent role.” 

She has since secured a permanent position close to where she lives, thanks in large part to the experience and confidence she gained during her locum assignment. “If you’re a dynamic person, you can use locuming as a series of stepping stones – picking different regions, different sizes of authority, and different areas of law to build a well-rounded career,” she said. 

Locuming to support SQE study and work-life balance 

For Paralegals working toward qualification routes such as the SQE, locum work can provide the flexibility to balance study alongside meaningful professional experience. 

One of our Paralegals has completed several locum assignments within local government while preparing for the SQE. She shared her experience of balancing casework with exams – and how the locum route gave her the control and support needed to achieve her long-term career goals.  

After completing her Law LLB, she began working full-time while studying part-time for the SQE – but quickly found the combination overwhelming.  

“When I first enrolled to study the SQE, I anticipated it to be an intense course, but felt confident that I could easily compartmentalise my work and studies and so enrolled to do the course part time and work full time. 

“My view on that changed when I first took the SQE 1 exams and did not pass. It was disheartening and led me to take a break from studying to figure out whether I wanted to continue with the course or if I even wanted to pursue a career in law - at the time it felt like a hurdle I couldn’t get over.” 

During this period, she was working in a locum role within a local authority legal team. The support she received from colleagues and her manager played a key role in helping her regain confidence and approach the qualification process differently. 

“My manager at the time was keen to support me in my decision to give the SQE another try and we discussed changes that could be made to my working hours to assist with dealing with the demands of the course. 

“The flexibility eased the pressure of the SQE course massively. It allowed me to plan out my days and week to factor in time to study but also most importantly, rest, which in turn allowed me to perform better in my studies and at work, boosting productivity.” 

Having since passed her SQE 1 exams, she is now in another locum role while she waits for her SQE 2 results, and says she would recommend locuming to other aspiring Solicitors: “Being in a locum position gave me the space to not only plan out my career goals but achieve them too.  

“Locum roles offer flexibility as opposed to permanent roles, allowing you to pause when needed, like during exam season for example. It also allows you to develop your skills while you are studying being immersed in real life cases that demonstrate how the law applies in practice.” 

Progressing your career through locum work 

Locum work can be a great career-building strategy for Paralegals. Unlike the traditional perception of locuming as merely temporary work, taking on locum work allows motivated paralegals to build a diverse portfolio of experience across multiple practice areas such as housing, planning, contracts, or child protection law.  

Locuming can be used as a ‘stepping stone’ to gain experience in a range of different authorities. Each placement exposes new case types and management styles, helping develop a strong understanding of how different authorities operate and make legal decisions.  

Locum Paralegals are often entrusted with a high level of responsibility early on, as teams rely on their adaptability and initiative to maintain excellent delivery of services on short notice, which offers a level of autonomy that can significantly accelerate not only professional development, but confidence too.  

Locum work not only strengthens technical legal skills but also enhances communication, timekeeping, and strategic thinking, all of which are key attributes for progression into senior paralegal or trainee solicitor roles.  

Additionally, the flexibility of locuming enables Paralegals to choose assignments that align with their long-term career goals, filling gaps in their experience and positioning themselves as well-rounded candidates for future opportunities, whether that be working with larger authorities, on bigger projects, or the road to qualification.  

In local authority settings, where legal departments value practical experience and adaptability in a fast-paced environment, locum work can serve as a useful platform for advancement, turning short-term opportunities into long-term professional success. 

For many Paralegals, locum work isn’t just a short-term solution – it can be an intentional route to career progression. In the local government legal market especially, we see motivated Paralegals use locum assignments to build experience quickly, broaden their exposure to different areas of law, and develop the confidence needed to take the next step in their career.  

Working on short-term placements gives Paralegals the chance to gain hands-on experience in a range of specialist practice areas, from childcare and adult social care to housing, planning and contract law. It also provides the opportunity to experience different authority structures, which can be incredibly valuable when developing a rounded understanding of how public sector legal teams operate.  

Locum Paralegals are often trusted with meaningful responsibility from day one. Teams rely on their adaptability and initiative to maintain service delivery, which naturally encourages independence, strengthens decision-making skills and builds confidence at pace. Over the years, we’ve seen Paralegals move between roles, growing in capability with each assignment and using their varied experience as a springboard into more senior positions or routes to qualification.  

Beyond strengthening technical knowledge, locum work helps develop essential professional skills, such as clear communication, effective time management, and the ability to prioritise in a fast-paced environment. These are qualities that hiring managers consistently look for in candidates progressing into senior Paralegal roles or aspiring to secure a training contract or SQE opportunity. 

Another key advantage is choice. Paralegals can select roles that align with their long-term ambitions, giving them control over the direction of their development and the ability to fill any gaps in their experience. For those who thrive in a varied and challenging environment, locum work can be a highly effective career-building strategy, turning short-term assignments into long-term professional success. 

Gaining exposure to a wide range of practice areas 

One of the most valuable advantages of locum work for Paralegals in local government is the breadth of legal exposure it offers. Instead of being tied to a single department or narrow caseload, locum assignments give Paralegals the chance to work across multiple practice areas and develop a more well-rounded skill set.  

This means locum Paralegals are able to build hands-on experience quickly, often stepping into meaningful casework that might take much longer to access in a permanent role. 

Exposure to different legal specialisms also helps Paralegals identify what areas of law they enjoy most and where they want to build their expertise long-term. It’s common to see Paralegals start in one discipline, then move into another area through a locum assignment before ultimately securing a position in their preferred practice area; with stronger foundations and increased confidence. 

For motivated Paralegals, this level of exposure not only accelerates learning but also builds a compelling CV, one that demonstrates initiative, versatility, and a strong understanding of the public sector legal landscape. 

Exploring locum work as a career move  

For Paralegals considering their next step, locum work offers far more than short-term experience. It can be a tailored and strategic move, helping you: 

Whether you are exploring the market for the first time or looking to take the next step in your legal career, our specialist legal recruitment team is here to support you. 

If you are curious about how locum opportunities could work for you, our specialist legal recruitment team is here to help. We have long-standing relationships with local authorities nationwide and a deep understanding of the market, meaning we can match you with opportunities that align with your skills and ambitions.