Q3 2025 Legal & Compliance Market Update
Summer Market Dynamics
Contrary to the long-standing assumption that the GCC’s legal hiring slows dramatically during the summer, Q3 showed that the market no longer truly “shuts down.” While processes were slower, mainly due to the practical challenge of arranging interviews around holidays, the market itself kept moving. Key hires were still being made, particularly at the senior level, demonstrating the region’s resilience and consistent demand for top talent.
Senior Hires & Abu Dhabi’s Dominance
A notable feature of the quarter was the rise in senior appointments, especially for General Counsel and other leadership roles. Abu Dhabi continues to dominate this space. Government and semi-government entities remain the driving force behind demand, but international businesses are increasingly choosing the capital as their base. For these companies, Abu Dhabi offers access to the federal system, investment opportunities, and proximity to capital - making it more attractive than Dubai, which is becoming less of a hub for such institutions.
Arabic-Speaking Demand at the Top
Language requirements also played a decisive role. Approximately 70% of General Counsel mandates we worked on required Arabic speakers - an uptick compared to the first half of the year. This aligns with the ongoing dominance of Abu Dhabi-driven hiring, where Arabic is a consistent prerequisite for senior legal leadership positions.
Competitive Market Conditions
The market remains highly competitive. The supply of senior legal talent continues to outweigh the number of available roles, making job-seeking a more challenging process. Compensation reflects this imbalance: as predicted at the start of 2025, total compensation packages for General Counsel roles are trending about 10% lower than in 2024. That projection now appears accurate, with reduced salary ranges becoming the new normal.
Interim Market Growth
One of the standout stories of Q3 was the booming interim market. Businesses are increasingly turning to interim solutions for several reasons:
Budget pressures mean some organisations cannot justify permanent headcount and are using temp-to-perm arrangements instead.
Extended leave cover is a growing factor, particularly as longer maternity leave policies have become more common. Interim lawyers are filling these gaps for extended periods.
Ease of hiring: interim recruitment is faster and more flexible than before, making it a preferred option for businesses seeking agility.
This segment is now one of the fastest-growing areas of the market and looks set to continue its upward trajectory.
Looking Ahead: Q4 Outlook
As we head into the final quarter of the year, we expect momentum to accelerate. Hiring pipelines remain strong, and both permanent and interim roles are forecast to increase. With many organisations seeking to secure talent before year-end, Q4 is likely to be one of the busiest periods of 2025 so far.