Your associate just resigned. Locum solicitors cost £350–£500/day through agencies. Agency placement fees are 15–25% of salary. Your agent screens candidates before lunch.
The UK legal sector faces significant recruitment challenges: 72% of sole practitioners report difficulty finding staff. Locum solicitors command £350-£500/day through agencies. Permanent recruitment agency fees run 15-25% of first-year salary. For a small firm, losing a fee earner means either absorbing the caseload (increasing burnout risk) or paying eye-watering locum rates while searching for a replacement. Your agent screens locum and permanent candidates: initial availability, practice area experience, PQE, rate expectations, and SRA practising certificate verification via the public register. It handles the initial screening that typically takes 20-30 minutes per candidate, filtering out mismatches before a partner's time is involved.
What Your Agent Actually Does
Your agent screens candidates, verifies SRA practising certificates, and matches availability to your requirements — getting you from vacancy to shortlist in hours, not weeks.
Screens candidates for practice area fit
Availability, practice areas, PQE, particular expertise (conveyancing, litigation, family, etc.), rate expectations, location preferences — your agent handles the initial screening conversation that takes 20-30 minutes per candidate, filtering out obvious mismatches.
Verifies SRA practising certificate status
The SRA register is public. Your agent checks each candidate's practising certificate status, any conditions or restrictions, current employer (to identify potential conflicts), and whether they hold a current certificate — before they get anywhere near your client files.
Matches locum availability to your requirements
You need a conveyancer for 3 days a week for the next 2 months. Your agent matches candidate availability to your specific requirements, finding the best fit without the back-and-forth that delays locum placement.
Reduces agency dependency
Recruitment agencies charge 15-25% of annual salary for permanent placements. Locum agencies add significant markups to daily rates. Your agent handles initial screening directly, reducing your dependency on agencies for routine cover.
Manages initial candidate communication
First contact, screening questions, availability confirmation, SRA verification — your agent manages the initial stages so partners only spend time on candidates who have already passed the basic checks.
The real numbers.
| Locum agency fees and rate markups | £3,000–£10,000/year |
| Permanent recruitment agency fees (15-25% of salary) | £6,000–£12,000 per hire |
| Partner time screening candidates (20-30 min each) | £1,500–£3,000/year |
| Realistic annual cost | £8,000–£15,000 |
| Agent build (one-off, configured to your practice areas and requirements) | £3,000–£5,000 |
| Monthly running costs (hosting + AI + communication) | £100–£180/month |
| SRA register integration and updates | Included in first year |
| Realistic first-year total | £4,200–£7,160 |
Recruitment is expensive whether you use agencies or do it yourself. The difference is where the time goes — agencies charge 15-25% of salary for matching work that's fundamentally about screening and verification.
Your agent handles the screening and SRA verification, getting you from vacancy to shortlist faster and cheaper than traditional agency routes.
Good fit / not a fit.
This works brilliantly for:
- Firms that use locum solicitors regularly
- Firms that have paid recruitment agency placement fees in the last 12 months
- Practices in competitive recruitment markets (London, South East)
- Firms with multiple practice areas needing different specialist candidates
This probably isn't for you if:
- You have a stable team with minimal turnover
- You're a sole practitioner not looking to hire
- You have an exclusive arrangement with an agency you're satisfied with
Let's talk.
We'll start with your team structure, how often you use locums, and what your last recruitment experience cost. Usually a 10-minute conversation.
hello@nimblecroft.com