Key facts: London
- Active companies, SIC 69102 (solicitors), London registered office
- 2,933
- Counted
- 18 October 2026
- Rank among the 11 London professions on this site
- 6th
Count from the Companies House register, 18 October 2026.
Law firms registered in London
On 18 October 2026, 2,933 active companies with a London registered office gave SIC 69102, solicitors, as their business activity. That puts law firms 6th of 11 London professions here, behind advice firms (3,233) and ahead of care providers (2,182).
The code covers solicitors' practices trading as companies. Many London firms are LLPs or partnerships, which appear under other entity types or not at all, so the count understates the profession. A registered office is also not always where a firm trades.
Regulation and what lenders check
The Solicitors Regulation Authority counted 8,899 firms across England and Wales in September 2026, 5,267 of them incorporated companies. Lenders check a firm's SRA record and its PII terms as a matter of course.
For a law firm the lender's questions are about lock-up (how long work takes to turn into cash), case mix, partner capital and the claims history behind the PII.
What London law firms usually fund
London firms borrow most often for WIP and disbursement funding while matters run, to spread the PII renewal, for VAT and tax, and for partner capital as people join and leave.
The year has fixed pressure points: the PII renewal, practising certificate fees, VAT quarters and partners' tax in January and July. Spreading them keeps cash for case work.
Premises and security in London
In England, a freehold for a law firm bought outright attracts Stamp Duty Land Tax on the non-residential scale, and the lender's security is a legal charge at HM Land Registry. For leased premises, expect a lender to ask for the lease and to match the loan term to it.
Lenders for London law firms
Which lender suits a London case depends on the law firm and the deal, not the postcode. We search the whole market each time. Fees depend on the lender, and nothing is due upfront.
Common questions
How many law firms are there in London?
Companies House lists 2,933 active companies with SIC 69102 and a London registered office (18 October 2026). Partnerships and sole traders are not included.
Can a law firm fund its PII renewal monthly?
Often, yes. PII premium finance spreads the renewal over the policy year. Terms depend on the lender and the firm.
Can you arrange finance for a London law firm?
Yes. We are a whole-of-market broker, not a lender, and search the market for lenders whose criteria suit the law firm. Fees depend on the lender; nothing upfront.
