A new report has revealed that 59% of people working in the legal profession are experiencing poor mental wellbeing, with nearly a third considering leaving their current role in the next year. 

The 2025 Life in the Law report, published by legal mental health charity, LawCare, paints a stark picture of the pressures facing lawyers, paralegals and support staff across the UK. It calls for decisive action from legal employers, regulators and education providers to prevent further damage to mental health and public confidence in the profession. 

Widespread Burnout and Pressure 

Of the 1541 individuals surveyed, nearly half said their mental health was strongly influenced by their working environment. Around 50% reported experiencing anxiety either frequently or constantly over the past year, and 26% reported episodes of depression. 

Nearly 80% of respondents said they regularly work beyond their contracted hours, with 1 in 12 clocking more than 21 extra hours each week. 

Long hours, high-intensity workloads and a lack of boundaries were repeatedly cited as driving poor mental health outcomes across the legal sector. 

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One in Five Experience Bullying or Discrimination  

The report also found that 20% of legal professionals had experienced bullying, harassment or discrimination in the last 12 months. Line managers were the most frequently identified perpetrators (65%), followed by colleagues (34%) and clients (16%). 

Sex, age and disability were the most common protected characteristics linked to incidents. Almost three quarters (72%) of those affected said the issue was not handled properly by their workplace. This contrasts with data collected from 82 organisations, where 82% claimed to have relevant policies in place to address workplace misconduct.  

On top of this, only 48% had policies covering disclosures of mental-ill health. 

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Retention Concerns Deepen 

Workplace dissatisfaction is translating into retention risks across the sector, with nearly 30% of respondents claiming they were likely to leave their current role within the next 12 months. Over half expected to leave within five years, and almost a third said they could see themselves leaving the sector altogether. 

Only a third said they would recommend a legal career, citing high pressure, unrealistic expectations from clients and regulators, and poor work-life balance as major concerns. Those who would recommend it pointed to the intellectually stimulating nature of the work and its financial rewards. 

Leadership Urged to Act 

LawCare issued five core recommendations for legal organisations: 

• Reevaluate workloads and billing structures.
• Prioritise people management and leadership training.
• Promote flexible working.
• Regularly assess and refine wellbeing initiatives.
• Reform legal education to include sustainable career planning. 

Chief executive Elizabeth Rimmer said:  

“We have it in our hands to transform the way we work and build a future where people are supported to perform at their best. Now is the time for leaders to act with courage and move away from practices that normalise overwork.” 

Judiciary Backs Calls for Reform 

Baroness Carr, the Lady Chief Justice, also endorsed the report, describing it as a “clear opportunity for leaders to engage strategically with wellbeing.”  

“Prioritising mental health is essential if we are to build a sector that is inclusive, resilient and fit for the future,” she said. 

LawCare said the sector does not need more evidence, just a willingness to implement known solutions. Without structural changes, the charity warned, the profession risks losing talent, damaging wellbeing further and eroding public trust.