More than four-in-ten (43%) medium-sized law firms have reduced graduate recruitment over the last year, according to a recent poll from legal referrals service, Contact Law.

The research also shows  56% of law firms surveyed have seen a rise in job applications from graduates, an overwhelming 76% confirmed they have no plans to recruit graduates in the year.

Dan Watkins, director, Contact Law, says: “The results of our survey are stark. Three quarters of medium-sized law firms are not planning to recruit graduates over the next 12 months. Graduate lawyers need to be prepared for a tough year, as firms concentrate on maintaining current staffing levels and put their recruitment drives on hold.  It also means that the competition for the few vacancies on offer will be fierce.

“To improve their prospects of picking up a graduate contract, applicants may be wise to focus on firms which specialise in legal areas that have seen steady growth over the past two years, such as those specialising in family law, employment and commercial disputes.”