Northern Home Counties
The Northern Home Counties, encompassing Bedfordshire, parts of Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire is home to an impressive array of firms. The area offers a wide variety of lifestyle options, with its blend of thriving modern towns, historic villages, countryside and woodland. With excellent road links via the M1 and M25 and air links via Luton, the UK's seventh largest airport, the region offers a realistic alternative to commuting into London, plus superb relocation options within striking distance of the city. Milton Keynes is the largest commercial centre and is home to large number of substantial regional and national law firms who have positioned themselves there to take advantage of the high numbers of PLCs and major businesses operating from the locality. A number of strong, commercially-driven practices are located in the region, notably in Watford, Luton and St Albans - the proximity to London makes the region popular for firms looking to operate at a lower cost base whilst maintaining high quality work.
Property prices away from the main commuter stations more affordable than many other areas in the south, a move to this area of the country can make excellent financial sense. There is an array of pleasant villages and small towns in the region, each offering a broad range of property types.
Salaries within the region vary greatly depending on the location and profile of the firm. The larger national firms in the region tend to pay on a par with their equivalents in the Midlands and Thames valley, although the more provincial practices shy away from paying commercial rates. Salary rises across the country have stalled in light of the downturn but it is still possible to command a good market salary within the Northern Home Counties and the benefits of living and working in the locality make great sense.
For further information on salaries in the region download our dedicated UK Private Practice Salary Survey.
For further information on the legal market and job opportunities in the Notrhern Home Counties contact:
Tom Pogmore
T: +44 (0)20 7415 2828
E: tompogmore@taylorroot.com