By Joel Khambay
In this blog, you will learn:
What a legal locum is.
Everything you need to know to become a legal locum.
About the benefits of becoming a legal locum.
Where the latest legal jobs are and how to apply for them.
Considering a career as a legal locum but not sure where to start?
Whether you're looking for greater flexibility, broader professional experience, or a change from a permanent role, moving into locum work can be an exciting next step.
However, if you're unfamiliar with the market, it's natural to have questions about what the role involves, how it differs from permanent employment, and whether it's the right fit for your skills and career goals.
In this blog, we explain what it takes to become a legal locum, outline what you can expect from temporary and interim opportunities in the public sector, and explore the benefits and considerations to help you decide whether locum work is the right career move for you.
What is a legal locum?
A legal locum is a qualified legal professional who works on a temporary or interim basis, providing local authorities or law firms with specialist legal support when they need extra capacity or additional expertise.
Legal locums are commonly recruited to cover periods of absence, manage increased workloads, support major projects, or fill jobs while permanent recruitment is underway.
Hiring a legal locum means that statutory legal services and daily operations can continue to run smoothly while the recruitment challenge is addressed.
What do I need to know about becoming a legal locum?
To become a legal locum, it is important to have the right qualifications and an understanding of the role and responsibilities. Locums are typically highly experienced professionals who require minimal onboarding.
Most local authorities and law firms prefer legal locums with at least 3 years of Post-Qualified Experience (PQE) and experience of working as a locum.
Unlike permanent roles, there is often little time for extensive training or onboarding.
Local authorities are looking for locums who understand the unique pressures of local government, are familiar with the relevant legislation and governance frameworks, and can quickly adapt to new systems and ways of working.
Whether managing a complex childcare caseload, advising on planning matters, handling property transactions, or supporting governance and committee work, legal locums are expected to make an immediate contribution from the outset.
Successful local authority locums are proactive, organised, and able to prioritise competing deadlines while maintaining high standards of legal advice and client service.
Demonstrating previous local government experience, the ability to manage a full and varied caseload independently, and a track record of integrating quickly into new teams will give hiring managers confidence that you can provide the continuity and expertise they need.
Who can become a legal locum?
Legal locum opportunities are available to qualified legal professionals with the experience and confidence to work independently.
Most local authorities recruit Solicitors, Barristers, Chartered Legal Executives (CILEX), and other suitably qualified lawyers who have relevant experience in the area of law they will be supporting.
How are legal locums paid?
Legal locums are paid via hourly or daily rates for the time they work, rather than an annual salary. Payment methods include direct invoicing, PAYE through an agency, or an umbrella company.
As legal locums don’t receive a permanent salary, it’s important that professionals understand the benefits, entitlements, and earning potential that come with legal locum work.
What are the benefits of becoming a legal locum?
The benefits of becoming a legal locum include:
Higher rates of pay.
Flexibility and work-life balance.
Greater independence.
Higher rates of pay
Public sector locum work appeals to many legal professionals due to its competitive rates, long assignment lengths and opportunities to broaden legal experience.
For many legal professionals considering locum work, the financial gain is a major draw.
Candidates with the right skills and years of experience often earn higher hourly rates than those in permanent roles.
These candidates can negotiate higher hourly rates directly with local authorities, especially since many positions arise urgently and on short notice. This allows locums to charge a premium and earn more.
As demand for skilled locums fluctuates, professionals with experience in high-demand practice areas and local government can often command higher rates.
Flexibility and work-life balance
One of the main attractions of legal locum work is the flexibility it offers. Depending on the needs of the local authority and the nature of the assignment, many locums have greater control over their working patterns than they would in a permanent role.
This may include negotiating hybrid working arrangements, flexible hours, or choosing assignments that align with their personal and professional priorities.
Legal locums also have the freedom to decide when to take on new assignments, allowing them to schedule breaks between contracts to travel, pursue professional development, or focus on family and other personal commitments.
This flexibility enables many legal professionals to achieve a better work-life balance while continuing to build valuable experience across different local authorities.
Greater independence
Legal locum work offers a high degree of autonomy, making it an attractive option for experienced legal professionals who are confident working independently.
Local authorities engage locums to provide immediate support with minimal supervision, so successful locums are trusted to manage their own caseloads, prioritise competing deadlines, and deliver high-quality legal advice from the outset.
Over time, delivering high-quality work across multiple local authorities enables locums to build a strong professional reputation and network within the public sector.
A proven track record of reliability, technical expertise, and adaptability often leads to repeat assignments and referrals, giving experienced locums greater choice and control over future opportunities.
Legal recruitment specialists
As specialist legal recruiters in the public sector, we support local authorities with their temporary, interim and permanent staffing needs. Our expertise covers a wide range of legal functions including governance, contracts and procurement, planning and property law, litigation and senior legal leadership roles.
If you're struggling to recruit the right talent, simply request a call back and one of our experienced recruiters will contact you to discuss how we can help.
Looking for your next legal job in the public sector? Either search the latest jobs or upload your CV and one of our consultants will be in touch when a suitable opportunity arises.