The UK legal market offers Australian lawyers a compelling combination of career prestige, accelerated learning opportunities, and access to some of the world's most sophisticated transactions. With London serving as a global legal hub where many of the world's major deals are governed by English law, Australian lawyers are increasingly viewing the UK as an attractive alternative to traditional destinations like the US or Asia.
Director at Marsden, Alex Russell, and his colleague Senior Consultant Alex Diez, have been helping connect Australian lawyers with UK firms for years. With on-the-ground knowledge of the London market, they understand which practice areas are in demand, the credentials Australian lawyers need to make the move, and how to navigate the pathway to qualifying as a solicitor in England and Wales.
Read on for everything you need to know about taking your legal career to the UK.
What UK firms are looking for
Australian lawyers hold a distinct advantage in the London market, they are highly prized for a series of reasons.
"First, Australian lawyers are sought after by top-tier UK and US firms because of their adaptability, strong work ethic, and ability to take on significant responsibility early in their careers," Alex Russell explains. "Skill gaps in areas like leveraged finance, structured finance, real estate finance, restructuring, private equity, patent litigation, and to a lesser extent IP/IT and funds drive demand for Australian-qualified lawyers in London."
According to Alex Russell, these practice areas have generally been busy, and when the supply of England & Wales-qualified lawyers dries up quickly, Australian lawyers are very well placed to step in and fill those gaps.
The London recruitment market has experienced some fluctuation in recent years. Following a surge in hiring after Covid, 2024 saw a period of caution as deal activity cooled due to geopolitical uncertainty and Trump's tariffs.
"However, since the latter half of 2025 and certainly from Q4 onwards the market in London has improved in terms of legal recruitment and that has continued into 2026," he says.
One area that has become increasingly challenging for Australian lawyers is dispute resolution.
"In recent years I have found that firms are sticking more rigidly to wanting dispute resolution lawyers with London experience/a thorough knowledge of the White Book," Alex notes.
The credentials that matter
When UK firms assess Australian candidates, they look beyond just years of experience to evaluate technical portability, transaction scale, and client sophistication.
As Alex Diez observes: "Time spent at internationally recognised firms (e.g. Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer or Clifford Chance) or top-tier Australian law firms carries weight because it signals exposure to complex, multi-jurisdictional matters and demanding clients."
Strong academic performance also serves as an early credibility marker, particularly at associate level. Leading universities and honours-level results demonstrate the intellectual rigour that London firms value.
"Law firms in London also evaluate whether an Australian lawyer appreciates the pace, intensity, and commercial demands of the London market, such as tight deal timelines, private equity involvement, and high partner expectations," she explains.
"Ultimately, London firms hire Australian lawyers who can demonstrate they've operated at scale, advised sophisticated clients, and can transition quickly into English law frameworks without a steep retraining curve," Alex Diez says.
Which practice areas translate best
Not all practice areas transfer equally from Australia to the UK, and understanding these differences is crucial for lawyers planning their move.
"When it comes to what transfers most easily from Australia to the UK, the standout areas are Banking & Finance, Restructuring, M&A/Corporate, Construction and Projects, and Commercial Litigation," Alex Russell says. "On the flip side, Property, Tax, and Employment can be a bit trickier because of all the UK-specific rules, regulations, and market quirks."
"That said, it's definitely not a dealbreaker - there are plenty of Australian-qualified Tax, Real Estate, and Employment lawyers thriving in London," Alex explains. "It just sometimes takes a bit more positioning and highlighting the right transferable experience."
How UK firms view Australian experience
Australian legal training is highly regarded in London, but lawyers should be prepared for their experience to be assessed through a UK lens rather than accepted year-for-year.
"UK law firms generally view Australian PQE (post-qualification experience) as credible and well-regarded, but not directly equivalent year-for-year," Alex Diez says. "In principle, Australian training is seen as high quality, particularly from top-tier firms, and Australian lawyers have a strong reputation for technical ability and work ethic."
In practice, firms look at the complexity of matters handled, the level of responsibility, and the comparability of transaction scale rather than simply counting years of admission.
"What this often means is that Australian lawyers moving to London may find their PQE discounted often by a couple of years to account for the fact that in the UK the training is longer," Alex explains. "Sometimes this can be reduced to a one-year discount if the experience is very relevant to the specific team. This is often a case-by-case and depends on how the particular candidate compares to other lawyers in the team at that level."
"It's always good to show flexibility in interviews and to have that conversation with your recruiter ahead of making applications," she says.
The pathway to qualifying in England & Wales
For Australian lawyers serious about establishing themselves in the London market, qualifying as a solicitor in England and Wales through the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) is an increasingly accessible option. The SQE has replaced the often-restrictive Legal Practice Course route and presents particular advantages for experienced Australian lawyers.
Australia is now on the list of countries where qualified lawyers can apply for an exemption for SQE2, meaning Australian solicitors with at least two years' legal work experience may only need to pass SQE1 to qualify.
"First things first—think about why you actually want to qualify as a solicitor in England & Wales," Alex Russell advises. "Sure, it shows commitment to the London market, but it's not a magic ticket. What really matters to partners is actual London experience—just having the qualification won't replace real UK transactional or contentious work."
For those eligible for an SQE2 exemption, Alex recommends applying as early as possible.
"If you've got enough PQE to qualify for an SQE2 exemption, it's worth applying for it as early as you can, ideally before you even move," he says. "That way, your CV can say something like: 'SQE2 exemption granted; preparing for SQE1,' which immediately shows you're serious and already making progress."
"That said, most Aussie lawyers take a more practical route: move to London first, get a role as a Foreign Qualified Lawyer (FQL), apply for the SQE2 exemption while working, and then prep for SQE1," Alex Russell explains. "It just works and is the route most people go down."
And as for getting ahead and using a structured prep provider, like The College of Legal Practice:
“It does show you're organised and committed, but at the end of the day, employers mostly care about the quality of your legal experience.”
The College of Legal Practice offers fully online SQE preparation courses designed for flexibility, allowing lawyers to study from anywhere in the world while working. With the SQE1 having a pass rate as low as 51 per cent, structured preparation is highly recommended, particularly for those balancing full-time work with exam preparation.
Those who have gone before you
The UK legal market has proven to be a launching pad for many successful Australian lawyers who have risen to senior positions at elite global firms.
"There are many examples, but to name a few: Georgia Dawson - An Australian lawyer who became a senior partner at Freshfields in London. Nicholas Shaw – An Australian lawyer who is a Partner in Simpson Thacher & Bartlett's London office, where he leads the European Finance and Capital Markets group. Joel Gory – An Australian lawyer who is a Partner in Kirkland's Antitrust department in London," Alex Diez says.
These success stories demonstrate that Australian lawyers can not only transition successfully to the London market but can also reach the highest levels of the profession. The combination of Australian legal training, international experience, and the ability to adapt to the demands of the London market creates a powerful foundation for long-term career success.
For Australian lawyers considering their next career move, the UK offers a compelling proposition: access to sophisticated, high-value work, exposure to global transactions, and the opportunity to build a distinguished international legal career. With the right credentials, preparation, and mindset, the doors to London's elite legal market are open.
Ready to take the next step in qualifying for the UK legal market?
Find out more about The College of Legal Practice's SQE preparation courses and how their flexible, online programmes can help you pass the SQE while working from anywhere in the world.
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