Emerging global economies will fuel a massive demand for legal services by 2030 and provide opportunities for UK law firms, according the Law Society.

The Society said firms must respond to that increased demand, or miss out on vital opportunities.

It said rapid population growth in major cities in China, India and other emerging markets will create ‘megacities’ with more than 10 million inhabitants, fuelling the demand for legal services.

The impact of this change on the legal sector, following the recession, will be a key theme at the Law Society's International Marketplace III: a brave new world conference to be held at Chancery Lane in London on 1 December.

Law Society chief executive Desmond Hudson said: ‘Not only are emerging economies growing, so are many of their populations. That trend towards mass urbanisation is likely to be replicated the world over.’

‘What that means for the legal sector and what these megacities will need by way of services will be a central talking point of International Marketplace III.

‘2030 might seem like a long way off, but legal practices need to start thinking about what the future holds now, so they can be well placed to absorb the opportunities that come with the shifting economic gravity. The Society will do all it can to support its members for the brave new world.'