KPMG report launched by the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O’Callaghan TD
The legal sector is a key contributor to long-term economic growth in Ireland, with €1.4 billion worth of legal services exported internationally.
The top four sectors that engage with legal professionals are financial services; technology, media & entertainment, and telecommunications; head office and management consultancy; and manufacturing. These fours sectors account for 50% of the domestic spending on legal and accounting services as well as being responsible for a substantial portion of Irish economic activity.
The details are contained in a new independent report by KPMG, that was commissioned by the Law Society of Ireland and The Bar of Ireland.
The report – ‘Economic Impacts of the Irish legal profession’ – highlights how essential legal services are to Ireland’s global competitiveness, enabling investment and growth across high value sectors of the economy.
The report was launched by the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O’Callaghan TD today at Ireland for Law’s Dublin International Disputes Week (DIDW).
Ireland for Law is the Irish government’s initiative to promote Ireland as a leading global centre for international legal services. Ireland has the second highest FDI intensity in the OECD, with over 1,800 multinational companies choosing Ireland as their economic base. They are attracted by talent and tax – and also by legal certainty and trust in the rule of law, the report states.
As one of the most open and globally integrated economies in the world, Ireland’s trusted and predictable legal system has played a key role in the country’s economic success, the KPMG report says.
Over the last 25 years Ireland’s GDP has climbed from $100.2 billion in 2000 to $577.39 billion in 2024 (a 476% increase). Driven by the growth from international investment and the domestic economy the number of people in employment has grown from 1.7 million in 2000 and now stands at 2.81 million (65% increase). In its latest World Economic Outlook, the International Monetary Fund projected that Ireland’s economy would be the fastest growing of the world’s most advanced economies this year, 2025.
The report details how the legal sector underpins investment and innovation across every major sector of the economy, from financial services and aviation to life sciences and technology.
The overall value generated in the Irish economy by the production of goods and services was €424 billion (Gross Value Added). The report says the legal profession contributed €6.7 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA) to the Irish economy: €4.2 billon directly and an additional €2.5 billion indirectly.
According to the report, the Irish legal profession supports over 52,000 jobs. 25,000 jobs are directly supported (solicitors, barristers and support staff). A further 27,000 jobs are supported indirectly.
Numbers in the legal profession have remained broadly stable (2020-2024), despite increases in population and the substantial increase in the value of Irish economy.
While legal services remain essential across the country, access is becoming less evenly distributed, with per capita availability declining outside major urban centres, with the west of Ireland experiencing the sharpest contraction – an 8% reduction in legal services employment over the past 11 years.
This report explores the broader social impact of the legal profession, particularly in safeguarding access to justice, supporting vulnerable groups such as children, migrants, tenants, workers and victims of crime, with legal professionals contributing over 9,300 pro bono days annually (8,500 by solicitors and 800 by barristers), valued at up to €14 million.
The report also highlights significant growth opportunities emerging in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR); an expanding segment with the potential to contribute up to €200 million to the economy. In addition to the direct economic contribution to the Irish economy, ADR also contributes indirectly to the Irish economy through offering businesses and individuals in Ireland cost effective and efficient dispute resolutions. Research shows ADR is growing in demand in areas such as employment and workplace disputes, construction cases, family law matters and corporate law.
Launching the report, Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O’Callaghan TD said:
The findings of this report confirm that Ireland’s legal system is not only a cornerstone of our democracy but also a vital driver of our economic success. A trusted, independent legal sector underpins investment and innovation across every major industry in the country – from financial services and aviation to life sciences and technology – and it strengthens Ireland’s position as a leading global centre for dispute resolution.
At the same time, the report reminds us that access to justice must be available in every part of our country. My department will continue working with the legal professions to support access to legal services in regional and rural areas, ensuring that the benefits of a strong, modern justice system are felt by all.
Commenting on the findings, Éamon Harrington, President of the Law Society of Ireland said:
“Legal professionals provide essential services to businesses across all sectors, from SMEs to multinationals. The legal sector underpins investment and innovation across every major sector of the economy, from financial services and aviation to life sciences and technology. Ireland’s economy depends on knowledge-intensive and export-oriented sectors.
“Legal professionals support major global banks, fintech, and insurance companies through advising on banking compliance, governance, and various forms of financial transactions. Legal professionals advise tech firms on compliance with EU tech regulations and data privacy protections. Ireland is the global leader in aircraft leasing, relying on legal professionals for aviation law, tax and compliance for complex global transactions.
“The Irish life sciences sector is one of the largest in the world. Legal input in intellectual property, regulatory, and collaboration agreements facilitates this. Legal professionals also help agri-food firms navigate EU food safety rules, export regulations, grant requirements, and environmental law. This report makes it very clear that the legal profession underpins growth across high-value sectors of the Irish economy.
Seán Guerin SC, Chair of the Council of The Bar of Ireland, said:
“Ireland has the second highest FDI intensity in the OECD, with over 1,800 multinational companies located here. Ireland’s common law system, legal certainty, IP protections and contract enforceability give global investors the confidence to make long-term commitments and are crucial to their continued presence here. Continued and intensified investment in legal education, digitalisation and regional access is essential to sustain the sector’s impact into the future.
“This timely analysis highlights the significant contribution of Ireland’s legal sector – not only to our economic welfare and national competitiveness, but also as a fundamental support to a wide range of key industries.”