Green shoots are growing in the legal recruitment market according to figures published today by a recruiter. The number of job advertisements for legal professionals rose 15% from the first to second quarters of calendar 2013, according to the European Job Index published by recruiter Robert Walters.

The number of posts advertised rose by 17% in the north-east and west of England, 9.5% in London and 6.4% in the Midlands, the firm said.

The situation in the UK contrasts with that in the rest of Europe, where the number of vacancies fell by 5% in Spain, 2% in France and 1% in the Netherlands.

Colin Loth, director of legal recruitment at Robert Walters, said the financial services sector was driving growth in London. ‘Particularly pleasing has been the evidence of a rise in vacancy levels across different regions of the country,’ he added. ‘Job seekers in the Midlands have been benefiting as law firms and companies look to locate some of their functions to the region.’