Leeds has been hailed as the best place to live in the north and north east, according to the Sunday Times’ Best Places to Live guide.
- Its vibrant job market, including the highest non-London salaries, enhances its allure.
- The city is rich in cultural offerings, hosting opera, ballet, and theatre companies.
- A strong legal sector with 1,560 firms solidifies Leeds’ status as a legal powerhouse.
- Despite tech challenges, Leeds is poised for growth in LegalTech and innovation.
Leeds has been recognised for its outstanding quality of life, topping the list of the best places to live in the north and north east, as per the Sunday Times’ Best Places to Live guide. Its thriving legal sector plays a crucial role in this distinction.
The city’s job market is particularly noteworthy, being the best-paying city outside of London. This economic strength is supported by diverse employment opportunities, offering a promising future for residents.
Culturally, Leeds stands out with unique offerings such as opera, ballet, and theatre companies, which are rare outside the capital. Additionally, the city’s diverse shopping venues, from Victorian arcades to the expansive Trinity Leeds mall, contribute to its vibrant city life.
Leeds boasts a formidable legal industry, with approximately 1,560 firms and over 14,400 professionals, making it a central hub for legal services in the region. Its legal sector alone generates a gross value of approximately £925 million, accounting for 4% of the UK’s total GVA for legal services. The city’s status is further enhanced by the presence of top firms, including 28 of the UK’s top 100.
Despite facing challenges in technology adoption, particularly among smaller firms, Leeds’ legal landscape shows immense potential for growth in the LegalTech arena. While some larger firms lead in digital transformation, the overall sector is positioned at the nascent stage of embracing technology, as highlighted in the 2020 Leeds City Region LegalTech & Innovation report.
Each year, Leeds attracts a substantial number of law graduates, with about 3,700 entering the legal workforce, underscoring the city’s influence in the legal domain. The employment of nearly 59,000 individuals in legal services across the north further emphasises Leeds’ pivotal role in the regional economy.
Leeds combines cultural richness, economic robustness, and legal prowess, making it unparalleled in the north.
