Industry Statistics and Trends
Market size and recent performance (2016-2031)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 0.7 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €3.8bn in 2026.
Trends and Insights
Regulatory complexity drives demand for high-value legal advice
- Regulatory complexity in Ireland, arising from increased EU regulations and law changes like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Digital Services Act, ESG disclosure rules and Brexit-related legal divergence, has heightened the legal burden on businesses. According to leading law firm DLA Piper in January 2025, total GDPR fines reported since its application in May 2018 stand at €5.88 billion, with the most fines recorded in Ireland.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2026-2031)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
An economic boost will drive growth in corporate legal work
- Ireland’s strong economy is anticipated to continue to outpace growth in the EU, continuing its long-term trend. The European Commission forecasts Ireland's GDP growth to surge to 2.9% in 2027, up from 0.2% in 2026, while inflation is expected to dip from 1.9% in 2026 to 1.7% in 2027. This anticipated improvement is likely to bolster demand for legal services, including corporate, property and employment law.
Biggest companies in the Legal Activities in Ireland
| Company | Market Share (%)
2026 | Revenue (€m)
2026 |
|---|---|---|
Arthur Cox Unlimited Company | 227.2 | |
A&L Goodbody Consulting Ltd | 215.6 | |
Matheson Services Ltd | 212.2 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 4 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Advising on corporate structuring, finance, and other affairs, Advising on personal law and Advising on property law. Advising on corporate structuring, finance, and other affairs is the largest segment of the Legal Activities in Ireland.
Trends and Insights
Ireland’s resilient business environment sustains demand for corporate structuring, finance and other affairs advising
- The segment includes legal matters arising from corporate transactions, M&As and IPOs, financing strategies and taxation issues.
- More insights available in the full report
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
This industry consists of firms that provide legal services, including solicitors, barristers, patent agents, notaries and bailiffs. Lawyers are legal practitioners that provide advocacy, advice and representation on a range of matters and in various sectors, such as commercial, property, private, criminal, civil and family law. Law courts are not covered in the industry.
What's included in this industry?
Products and services covered in the Legal Activities industry in Ireland include Advising on corporate structuring, finance and other affairs, Advising on personal law, Advising on property law, Advising on administrative and constitutional law, Advising on employment law, Advising on criminal law , Advising on intellectual property law and Advising on immigration and nationality law .Companies
Companies covered in the Legal Activities industry in Ireland include Arthur Cox Unlimited Company, A&L Goodbody Consulting Ltd and Matheson Services Ltd.Purchase this report to view all 4 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
Related terms covered in the Legal Activities industry in Ireland include initial public offering (ipo), mergers and acquisitions (m&a) and legal tech.Industry Code
SIC 69.10 - Legal Activities in Ireland
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Regulatory complexity fuels demand for specialised legal expertise. Rising EU regulations and legal shifts like GDPR and Brexit have pushed Irish businesses to seek expert le...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2016-2025) and forecast (2026-2031)
- Employees, including historical (2016-2025) and forecast (2026-2031)
- Businesses, including historical (2016-2025) and forecast (2026-2031)
- Profit, including historical (2016-2026)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Resilient business environment limits impact of economic headwinds. Despite fluctuating M&A activity and subdued business sentiment, countercyclical services like insolvency ...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2026
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2026
- Major market segmentation in 2026
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
Dublin is home to all of Ireland’s largest law firms. This region is Ireland’s financial and business hub. Most major government offices are also in Dublin, increasing the ne...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2026
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2026
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2026
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2026
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2026
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Specialisation and local focus help small law firms thrive. Many Irish legal providers choose to concentrate on a single practice area and region, building strong client rela...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2021-2026
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Arthur Cox holds a very good reputation. Leading major deals across diverse industries, Arthur Cox was named Ireland Legal Adviser of the Year 2024 and continues to dominate ...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2022 through 2026
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2026
- Overview of Arthur Cox Unlimited Company's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2020 through 2026
- Overview of A&L Goodbody Consulting Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2020 through 2026
- Overview of Matheson Services Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2020 through 2026
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for one additional company
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Arthur Cox Unlimited Company, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for A&L Goodbody Consulting Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Matheson Services Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for one additional company
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
Business sentiment directly influences demand for legal services. When business optimism is high, companies pursue IPOs, M&A and expansion, boosting legal work. However, duri...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2016-2031)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2016-2031)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
High markups drive above-average profit in legal services. Top-tier law firms enjoy robust profit margins due to premium fees for complex work, but rising costs and economic ...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2026
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2026
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2016-2031)
- Revenue per Employee (2016-2031)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2016-2031)
- Employees per Establishment (2016-2031)
- Employees per Enterprise (2016-2031)
- Average Wage (2016-2031)
- Wages/Revenue (2016-2031)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2016-2031)
- IVA/Revenue (2016-2031)
- Imports/Demand (2016-2031)
- Exports/Revenue (2016-2031)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2016-2031)
- IVA (2016-2031)
- Establishments (2016-2031)
- Enterprises (2016-2031)
- Employment (2016-2031)
- Exports (2016-2031)
- Imports (2016-2031)
- Wages (2016-2031)
Top Questions Answered
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Legal Activities industry in Ireland in 2026?
The market size of the Legal Activities industry in Ireland is €3.8bn in 2026.
How many businesses are there in the Legal Activities industry in Ireland in 2026?
There are 5,047 businesses in the Legal Activities industry in Ireland, which has grown at a CAGR of 0.4 % between 2021 and 2026.
How may import tariffs affect the Legal Activities industry in Ireland?
The Legal Activities industry in Ireland is unlikely to be materially impacted by import tariffs with imports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
How may export tariffs affect the Legal Activities industry in Ireland?
The Legal Activities industry in Ireland is unlikely to be materially impacted by export tariffs with exports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
Has the Legal Activities industry in Ireland grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Legal Activities industry in Ireland has been growing at a CAGR of 0.7 % between 2021 and 2026.
What is the forecast growth of the Legal Activities industry in Ireland over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Legal Activities industry in Ireland is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Legal Activities industry in Ireland?
The biggest companies operating in the Legal Activities industry in Ireland are Arthur Cox Unlimited Company, A&L Goodbody Consulting Ltd and Matheson Services Ltd
What does the Legal Activities industry in Ireland include?
Advising on corporate structuring, finance and other affairs and Advising on personal law are part of the Legal Activities industry in Ireland.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Legal Activities industry in Ireland?
The company holding the most market share in the Legal Activities industry in Ireland is Arthur Cox Unlimited Company.
How competitive is the Legal Activities industry in Ireland?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Legal Activities industry in Ireland.
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in Ireland include:
- Central Statistics Office
- Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
- Irish Tax & Customs
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
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