Now could be a good time for people to start up a recruitment company targeting UK law firms which are reported to be hiring again following the disruptions caused by the financial downturn.

According to the Lawyer, despite underlying concerns about the performance of the economy, the UK's top 25 law firms "are back in recruitment mode" and are creating job opportunities.

An estimated 2,133 people have already been brought on board to UK offices in 2009-10 alone, with Slaughter and May creating employment for 78 people during the current financial year.

However, the jobs were only for associates and support staff rather than partners, which the publication said suggests companies are still cautious about going full throttle on recruitment.

Some 2,370 people were made redundant by law firms during the downturn.

A recruitment consultant recently advised those planning to set up their own business to target niche markets to increase their chances of success.