Start your search to find your closest local or specialist agency
Cross Resourcing provides bespoke recruitment solutions in Professional Services verticals such as IT, Office Services, Qualified Legal, Marketing, HR & Recruitment and Accountancy & Finance. Managing placements nationwide with the help of their office in Edinburgh, they help establishments like small to medium sized enterprises, charities and national corporations in their needs for permanent and temporary staff. They were formed in 2020.
Westpoint, 4 Redheughs Rigg, Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH12 9DQ
Reed's specialist legal recruiters use their local knowledge of the market and the UK's largest candidate database to find you the top legal professionals for your business. Our highly experienced legal consultants recruit for all legal roles, from paralegals and trainee solicitors through to heads of legal and partners within private practices, public sector organisations, and in-house legal departments.
Ardmore House, 40 George Street, Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH2 2LE
+ 62 other offices
Office Angels has been providing Office personnel for a broad range of temporary and permanent roles, including Administrators, Executive Assistants, Office Managers, PAs, and Secretaries, since its establishment in 1986. The talent firm caters to a diverse client group in various sectors, such as Accountancy & Finance, Engineering, IT, Legal, Marketing, Sales & Retail. With teams based across 60 locations, they operate nationwide.
Suite 5, Michaelson Square, Livingston, West Lothian, EH54 7DP
+ 20 other offices
Core-Asset Consulting, founded in 2005, is an independent recruitment firm for Finance & Professional Services businesses across Scotland. Their database consists of talent from all over the world, from Europe to Asia to the US. They accommodate requirements for permanent, temporary, contract, interim and executive placements in fields like Investment Management and Fintech. They are ISO 27001 Certified for Information Security Management.
80 George St, Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH2 3BU
Hydrogen Group is an international multi-sector recruitment company for Accounting & Finance, Marketing & Business Development and Procurement, to name a few. They have 11 offices all over the globe, including a team in Edinburgh. They were established in 1997 and have since nearly 2,000 individuals in permanent and contract employment to enterprises in over 67 countries. Their client portfolio includes NBA, Warner Bros. and Formula One.
1 Lochrin Square, 92 - 98 Fountainbridge, Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH3 9QA
+ 2 other offices
Hunter Savage delivers recruitment services for the Accountancy & Finance, Engineering, Operations & Supply Chain, Human Resources, IT and Legal & Compliance sectors. They have a combined experience of more than 100 years. They were launched in 2010 and have offices in Edinburgh and Ireland. Some of their clients are PWC, Ernst & Young and Carson McDowell.
5 Albany Street, Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH1 3QB
+ 2 other offices
Stafffinders is Scotland's longest family-run recruitment agency handling permanent, temporary and contract staff to 34 key industry divisions. For 50 years we have successfully partnered a broad selection of high-calibre candidates with prestigious companies across a magnitude of sectors. Our network of Scottish offices in Paisley and Edinburgh allow our specialised recruitment team to build genuine relationships all over Scotland.
139 George Street, Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH2 4JY
+ 2 other offices
QED Legal Recruitment provides recruitment solutions for Legal focus areas like conveyancing for leasehold and property-related concerns, IP, litigation and more. Aside from regular search and selection services for permanent, contract, temporary, full-time and part-time assignments, they can also set up offline recruitment campaigns if needed. Their operations started in 2012 and they have teams in seven locations.
83 Princes Street, Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH2 2ER
+ 7 other offices
JMC Legal Recruitment, with an office in Manchester and five other sites in the UK, delivers Legal recruitment services nationally and internationally. Satisfying full time, part time and contract needs, they perform retained searches for senior titles, contingency recruitment, and marketing campaigns for clients. They are a member of the Association of Professional Staffing Companies.
Hudson House 8 Albany Street, Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH1 3QB
+ 4 other offices
Badenoch & Clark is a specialist recruitment agency with over 44 teams across the UK and Europe. They are one of the founding members of the Federation for Recruitment, Search & Selection (FR2S). For 40 years, they have been providing permanent, temporary, and contract workers to a diverse range of sectors including Accounting & Finance, Government / Public Sector, Personnel / HR, IT, Legal, Logistics, Marketing, Sales, and Digital.
3rd Floor, 50 Frederick Street, Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH2 2AF
+ 9 other offices
Pertemps is a recruitment consultancy that supplies permanent, contract and temporary staffing solutions to a wide variety of sectors. The firm is a part of the Pertemps Network Group, which has over 250 branches and offices serving the whole of the UK. The agency has an e-service called PAWS that allows clients to order staff using an electronic catalogue. Pertemps offers a 24/7 service.
Falkirk Business Hub 45 Vicar Street, Falkirk, Stirlingshire, FK1 1LL
+ 61 other offices
ASA Recruitment is a multi-sector recruitment company for 17 industries which include Engineering, Hospitality & Catering and IT. They handle different kinds of requirements such as permanent, contract and temporary placements, contingency staff, high quantity personnel, and hourly worker needs. They started in 1970 and have teams in Glasgow, Edinburgh and more.
6 Coates Crescent, Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH3 7AL
+ 4 other offices
Aspire Search Consultants is a trusted recruitment provider of staffing solutions to a broad range of clients across the UK. These include Accountancy & Finance, Legal, and Wealth Management markets. From its office based in Edinburgh, the company selects professionals for a plethora of assignments. Aspire Search also covers the Baking and Mergers & Acquisitions divisions and offers Search & Selection services.
83 Craigleith Hill Avenue, Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH4 2JL
Pay varies across the Lothian job market, with City centre firms near Waverley and Haymarket tending to pay a little more than suburban practices. Legal secretaries often sit around £24,000 to £30,000, strong paralegals can command £28,000 to £38,000, and newly qualified solicitors in Edinburgh firms may land between £35,000 and £55,000 depending on discipline. Mid level lawyers can reach £60,000 to £85,000 in corporate, banking, or technology work, with higher figures for sought after niches. Interim counsel day rates can range from £300 to £650 where urgency or specialist depth is needed. Recruitment fees and agency costs tend to track salary and scarcity, with lower percentage fees for straightforward hires and higher tiers for executive search or hard to fill briefs. Clear pay rates, agreed milestones, and a written scope keep everyone aligned on value.
Most lawyer roles require an LLB or equivalent, Diploma in Professional Legal Practice, and admission as a solicitor in Scotland. Paralegals come from varied routes, with many holding a law degree or a recognised paralegal certificate, and some step up through strong experience in conveyancing, litigation support, or compliance. Legal secretaries and administrators benefit from fast typing, case management systems, and solid document skills, and training in Scots law procedures is a helpful bonus for court related work.
Edinburgh draws law firm headquarters and in house teams for finance, pensions, and tech, which lifts demand for corporate, funds, and regulatory skills. West Lothian sites near Livingston and Bathgate see steady need for commercial contracts, procurement, and data protection in manufacturing and logistics. East Lothian firms along the A1 corridor handle private client, conveyancing, and rural matters, with steady flows from Musselburgh, Haddington, and Tranent. Midlothian practices around Dalkeith and Loanhead balance crime, family, and local business support, with easy commuter links on the A720 helping candidate reach.
Recruiters in Lothian handle solicitors across conveyancing, employment, corporate, litigation, family, wills and estates, and commercial property. In house counsel roles span technology, fintech, higher education, and public bodies. Paralegal hiring covers residential property, remortgage, court work, and eDiscovery. Firms lean on staffing agencies for legal secretaries, document production, reception, and office management. Executive search teams step in for partner moves, legal directors, and heads of legal, while temp agencies cover holiday spikes and project peaks.
Strong firms in the city centre often secure candidates early, which makes retention a live topic for suburban practices. Competition from London employers who offer remote or hybrid options can pull talent away, and that affects pay and progression conversations. Commuter costs influence candidate choices between central offices and business parks around Gyle, South Gyle, and Edinburgh Park. Recruiters help local employers refine benefits, hybrid patterns, and training plans to stabilise the workforce and reduce churn.
Agencies place solicitors who meet Law Society of Scotland requirements, with up to date practising certificates and CPD. Many roles require clean background checks, with Basic or Standard disclosures common for sensitive client work, and some public sector posts seeking higher clearances. Financial services and data roles call for GDPR fluency, supplier due diligence, and sometimes FCA awareness for contract review teams. Firms using temporary, permanent, or contract work should set induction steps that cover confidentiality and information security from day one.
Newly qualified lawyers often rotate through property, litigation, or commercial seats before picking a specialism. Paralegals can grow into fee earning roles in conveyancing or court, then move toward senior case handlers or team leads. Legal support staff progress from administrator to senior secretary or practice manager with the right training on billing, case systems, and compliance. In house pathways start with commercial contracts work, moving through privacy, IP, and procurement, then into senior counsel or head of legal posts.
Property teams face spring and summer spikes as buyers move, and temp agencies help cover completions and post settlement work. Litigation can lift after recess periods and year end. Public sector and higher education hiring often aligns with budget cycles, which prompts a run of contract roles. Recruiters smooth these waves by maintaining shortlists and pre screened candidates who can start quickly.
Lothian recruiters and employment firms understand the balance between speed and fit, which matters to busy partners and general counsel. Recruitment consultants handle brief writing, shortlisting, interviews, and offer stages, and they advise on recruitment fees that match the complexity of the search. For urgent cover, temp agencies supply staff for front of house, document production, and case administration, keeping service levels steady. If you need to hire staff or find employees for a niche matter, agencies can shape a shortlist that reflects your client base and workload.
Candidates who register with an agency gain early sight of roles that never reach job boards, which helps when the labour market tightens. Keep a crisp CV with seat details, matter types, and systems used, and note any training on case management or eBilling. Share your commuting range, hybrid preferences, and salary aims upfront, so recruiters can match you with roles across Edinburgh, West Lothian, Midlothian, and East Lothian without wasted steps. Contract work can be a smart way to build sector exposure and raise pay rates over time.
Do legal recruitment agencies in Lothian work with both firms and in house teams?
Yes, they cover private practice and employers across finance, tech, public bodies, and charities.
Can agencies help with temporary and contract roles?
Yes, temp desks place secretaries, paralegals, and interim counsel on short notice.
What information should an employer share at briefing stage?
Share job scope, salary band, recruitment fees, interview plan, and must have skills.
How can a candidate stand out in this market?
Show clear matter examples, any metrics on billing or caseload, and flexibility on hybrid patterns.
Are there costs for candidates who register with an agency?
No, agencies are paid by the hiring business.
Which areas do recruiters cover within Lothian?
Edinburgh city centre, Edinburgh Park, West Lothian, Midlothian, and East Lothian commuter links.
This page focuses on legal recruitment agencies and legal recruiters in Lothian, with guidance for local employers and jobseekers, and practical steps that make hiring smoother across the region.