International

Global Activity 

Many international law firms and in-house legal teams in 2025 are actively recruiting from the overseas market. Many countries have relaxed restrictions for foreign legal professionals, but visa sponsorship remains a challenge. Some jurisdictions including Singapore, Dubai, and Hong Kong offer foreign legal consultant licenses, allowing limited practice in  international law. Additionally, many global law firms now offer  comprehensive secondment programs, allowing lawyers to gain experience abroad.

In-House Specialisms

While moving in-house Overseas is often more challenging than private practice due to local competition, we are seeing a number of skill shortages globally in specialist areas. This has resulted in companies sourcing candidates internationally- lawyers with energy and project finance experience for example, will find a more buoyant market in Asia-Pacific and Western Australia than in previous years. Lawyers with investment funds, capital markets and structured finance experience will also find interest from banks and financial institutions in Asia, Continental Europe and Offshore.

International Expansion

While many international law firms would often find their ranks bolstered by a high number of seconded lawyers in the past, the trend continues now to grow strategic teams organically or with lawyers making mid to long-term commitments to local regions. This is particularly the case in the Middle East with many law firms looking to strengthen their position to support their continued growth. Law firms in Australia and the Far East have also expanded significantly with strategic mergers and new entrants to the market targeting long-term sustainable plans.

Overseas Talent Hunting

With growth generally in the legal market globally, there continues to be a high number of lawyers from Scotland and Ireland opting to make a move Overseas. We anticipate seeing an increase in roles with clients in Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East and Offshore. Many Overseas law firms and companies have had positive experience hiring from the Scottish and Irish markets and we expect to see a return in demand and direct advertising campaigns in 2026.

As ever, making an international move requires careful planning.

Thomson Legal has over 25 years’ experience assisting Scottish and Irish lawyers move overseas advising on: market trends, legal areas in demand, visas, remuneration, re-qualification and relocation. We aim to make the process straight-forward and to give you the confidence that we understand you and your background and how best to present your experience to the Overseas markets. We work closely with long-standing international clients and our global network of partners.

Our process starts with inclusive research of your desired locations.

We aim to provide accurate information on current market conditions, available options and the viability of a successful move Overseas. Whether it is for lifestyle or financial reasons, permanent or for a couple of years there are opportunities for lawyers with in-demand skill sets.

We then help you prepare your CV- this can often look radically different depending on specific locations. Our role is then to advise you and assist with the necessary diligence you need to undertake on potential employers and locations.

Next the all important part.

We approach potential target organisations on your behalf and secure interviews for appropriate positions. We also help and advise on interview preparation, giving you the best possible chance of securing your move Overseas. Finally, we will advise on potential offers, guide you through your resignation and assist you with ‘on the ground’ information on your relocation, such as visas, housing and re-qualification, completing the process and allowing you to focus on your new role.