Law firms leased 13.3% more office space in London in 2025 compared with the previous year, taking 828,450 sq ft, Knight Frank has reported.
The property consultancy said 13 law firm deals pushed take-up in the fourth quarter to 276,728 sq ft, up 75% on the same period the previous year.
Knight Frank said that of the 19 deals for 10,000 sq ft-plus spaces completed in 2025 by legal sector occupiers, 15 were for expansions, “with firms either relocating to a new offices and acquiring more floor space or adding an office”.
US firms were responsible for much of the demand, accounting for five of the top legal sector deals over 100,000 sq ft in the past five years, according to Knight Frank’s analysis.
“This reflects US law firms’ growing presence in London as the capital cements its reputation as a key magnet for the world’s largest legal advisers,” the firm said.
“LinkedIn analysis shows the top 25 US firms in London added nearly 3,000 new roles in 2025 alone. Some, such as McDermott Will & Schulte, have reported revenue increases exceeding 50%.”
The City Core submarket remains the most favoured destination for law firms signing new deals for London offices, accounting for 68.9% of take-up by volume in the capital in 2025, followed by Midtown, with 10.2% of the total.
Richard Proctor, head of UK occupier strategy and solutions at Knight Frank, said: “The leasing activity of London’s thriving legal community sends a clear signal: the sector’s leading global players are betting on growth.
“US firms are leading the way, snapping up large pre-lets at grade-A schemes in prime locations, often with significant expansion options to accommodate future headcount growth.
“While securing best-in-class space is increasingly challenging, successful firms are recognising the crucial role played by prime workspace in fuelling talent attraction, engagement and retention, giving them an edge in the ongoing war for talent,” he added.
Jennifer Townsend, partner at Knight Frank, said: “The legal profession has been voting with its feet, and it has been voting for new and refurbished stock.
“Demand is increasingly concentrated around the highest-quality space in the capital’s core submarkets, but constrained development pipelines, robust rental growth and lengthening pre-let timeframes are all complicating the picture for future moves.
“Firms with upcoming lease events need to kickstart their planning earlier to secure prime workspace in what is one of the most competitive legal office markets in the world.”
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