Interview Ace: Top Law Firm Trends of 2026

Whether you're drafting applications, or preparing for interviews, you need to know the key trends that will be hitting law firms and their clients in the new year.

That's what we're here for. We've prepared this insight for you so you can focus on the holidays without the stress!

✨ Our new Interview Ace series is designed to give you the key trends that will impact law firms and their clients each month from all practice areas. Pick out the ones that interest you and go impress your dream firm.

👷 Employment

1. Big changes to workplace rules

A big new law just came into force: the Employment Rights Act 2025.

This Act updates large parts of UK employment law, the rules that govern the relationship between employers and employees. It covers things like:

• how easy it is to dismiss an employee
• limits on so-called “fire and rehire” practices
• new rules around zero-hours and low-hours contracts
• stronger protections against sexual and third-party harassment
• expanded rights to flexible working, sick pay and family leave.

Although most of these changes will be phased in during 2026, businesses already know the direction of travel. Dismissals will carry more legal risk, workplace complaints will need to be handled more carefully, and flexibility will increasingly be expected rather than requested.

What does this mean for Law Firms?