Government stops law firms hiring overseas talent
20 August 2010

City law firms are having to turn down candidates from outside the UK as a result of the Government's points-based work permit scheme.

The UK's temporary cap on non-EU migrants came into force last month, and law firms have had their quotas cut. As a result, Norton Rose has been unable to obtain work permits for one of its future trainees. A spokesman for the firm told RollOnFriday that reports in the media that a number of its Indian interns had been affected were untrue, but said that one of the trainees starting next month would have to start work in a non-UK overseas office.

Whilst this particular case concerned Indian staff, the new rules will affect all the major City firms that have in the past recruited Australian, South African and New Zealand lawyers into London. Given that in boom times it's hard to throw a lever arch file in a Magic Circle firm without hitting an antipodean, this protectionist bollocks sensible new policy means that big firms have got a big problem on their hands.
 

Not coming to a law firm near you.

The Head of HR at a Magic Circle firm, who is currently lobbying the government and didn't want to be named, told RollOnFriday that the rules were a "huge problem" that could affect the firm's global expansion. Specifically, it could prevent the firm from recruiting talented lawyers from Asia into London for a couple of years experience and training before sending them back to grow the firm's Asian offices. Other HR heads at City firms (who similarly didn't want to be quoted) agreed with this, and variously described the scheme as "ill-thought through" and "a pain in the arse".

The Law Society is lobbying to change the rules and any readers who want to help can contact their MPs.