For commercial litigators in the North West, the market can feel contradictory.
On one hand, demand appears constant. New disputes, new sectors, new pressure points. On the other, many lawyers have lived through sudden surges in work that later disappear just as quickly, leaving careers feeling reactive rather than intentional.
Understanding where litigation demand is genuinely stable (and where it’s cyclical) is one of the most important, and least talked-about, factors in long-term career planning. Especially if you’re operating at 5+ PQE and starting to think more strategically about progression, reputation and leverage.
Why general commercial litigation remains the most consistent area
Across the North West, general commercial litigation continues to account for the majority of sustained demand.
This is partly structural. Disputes arising from contracts, shareholder relationships, commercial property interests and business breakdowns are a constant feature of a mature regional economy like Manchester’s. They don’t rely on regulatory changes, government schemes or consumer claims trends to exist.
In practice, this means general commercial litigation work is most often found in:
- Legal 500-ranked firms
- Strong regional and city-centre boutiques
- Firms with established business and commercial client bases
For lawyers, that typically translates into:
- A steadier flow of instructions
- Broader, more transferable experience
- Greater long-term career optionality
It’s no coincidence that many of the most senior litigation careers in the region have been built on this foundation.
Manchester’s role in the litigation market
Manchester continues to dominate the commercial litigation landscape in the North West, not because work doesn’t exist elsewhere, but because this is where it tends to converge.
City-centre firms often sit at the intersection of:
- Larger commercial clients
- Multi-disciplinary practices
- Higher-value and more complex disputes
That concentration creates depth of work and, crucially, continuity. For litigators thinking beyond their next role and towards their next five to ten years, location and client mix matter just as much as job title.
The difference between stability and spikes
Alongside general commercial litigation, the North West regularly sees short-term spikes in civil litigation demand.
Housing-related claims, consumer finance disputes and similar work can surge quickly, often driven by external factors such as regulatory change, funding models or economic pressure. These periods can be lucrative and intense, but they’re rarely permanent.
For some lawyers, these spikes have provided valuable experience. For others, they’ve resulted in:
- Narrowly defined CVs
- Limited mobility once demand cools
- A sense of being pulled by the market rather than steering their career
None of this makes spike-driven work “bad”. But it does make it riskier if it becomes the sole pillar of a long-term litigation career.
Property litigation: a stable subset with its own rules
Property litigation sits somewhere in between.
It tends to show more consistency than many civil litigation areas, particularly where it’s tied to:
- Commercial landlords and developers
- Long-standing property portfolios
- Mixed-use and regeneration projects
However, it can also become siloed. Property litigators often find themselves indispensable within firms, but less visible externally, which can quietly limit progression if not managed carefully.
As with general commercial litigation, the key factor is how the work is positioned and supported within a wider commercial practice.
Why this matters more as you become more senior
At junior levels, market volatility often feels manageable. Skills accumulate quickly, and moves feel relatively low risk.
At 5–7 PQE and beyond, the stakes change.
Decisions about specialism, firm type and client exposure begin to compound. Stability starts to matter not just for workload, but for:
- Progression conversations
- Partnership credibility
- Long-term earning potential
- Work-life sustainability
Lawyers who understand where demand is structural, rather than temporary, tend to retain more control over their careers.
Taking a longer-term view
One of the most common frustrations we hear from commercial litigators is not about lack of opportunity, but lack of clarity.
The North West litigation market is busy. But busy doesn’t always mean stable, and opportunity doesn’t always mean longevity.
Being clear-eyed about where work comes from, how long it’s likely to last, and how it feeds into your broader career narrative can make the difference between reacting to the market and shaping your place within it.
If you’re starting to ask those questions, whether or not you’re considering a move, understanding the market properly is usually the first step. Our litigation specialist Jemma Davies can talk you through your options. Give her a call on 03300 245 606 or send us a message.
