Top-100 law firm scraps two-month cap and stuns sector with six months’ full pay for all parents
One of the UK’s top-100 law firms has thrown out its old parental leave rules in a radical shake-up, granting all new parents six months of full pay—regardless of how they grow their family.
Foot Anstey, which employs hundreds across offices in the South West and South of England, announced its revised “market-leading” policy on 1 July. The change marks a sharp break from the firm’s previous structure, which only offered six months’ full pay for adoption, maternity, and surrogacy leave, while other parents received just two months on full pay.
Now, every new mother and father will receive six months of fully paid leave under the updated plan. The decision is part of the firm’s wider “family forming” programme, which aims to support staff planning or growing their families in a more holistic way.
This broader package includes access to reproductive healthcare, enhanced support for neonatal needs, paid leave during pregnancy, and a designated “parental returners hub” to help staff transition back to work. Employees will also have access to a “back-up care” scheme and one-on-one appointments with independent mortgage advisers—another benefit newly introduced under the overhaul.
Richard Turner, a group management accountant at the firm, will be among the first to take advantage of the new parental leave policy. Turner described the impact as life-changing.
“It means the world to have this precious time to bond with our new baby, support my partner, and be fully present for these first moments as a family,” he said.
The firm’s leadership hopes the bold move will give Foot Anstey a competitive edge in the battle for talent. A spokesperson confirmed that the benefits package is aimed at drawing in new recruits and encouraging existing staff to stay long-term, especially as the firm continues to expand.
Embed from Getty Images“In order to support our growth ambitions, we need to retain and attract the best talent,” the spokesperson added. “Offering progressive and inclusive policies is key to that goal.”
Foot Anstey’s performance figures show an organisation in strong financial health. In the 2023/24 financial year, the firm recorded turnover exceeding £67 million and net profits of £6.15 million. That represents a 44% increase in revenue since 2020, when income stood at roughly £46 million.
The policy shift also aligns with the firm’s wider values. Last year, Foot Anstey became one of the first law firms in the UK to commit 1% of its net profits to charitable causes, marking a distinct move toward what it calls “purpose-led growth.”
The legal sector has traditionally lagged behind in equalising parental support. Many firms still differentiate between maternity and paternity leave or fail to offer surrogacy and adoption policies at parity. Foot Anstey’s changes effectively erase those divisions, placing all parents on an equal footing, regardless of how their family is formed.
The firm says these improvements reflect ongoing feedback from staff and a growing recognition that flexibility, equality, and modern support structures are no longer optional—they’re expected.
While not every firm will follow suit, Foot Anstey’s move has turned heads across the industry. In a profession long driven by billable hours and tight schedules, giving parents time to step away—on full pay—may prove a cultural shift as significant as it is financial.
For Richard Turner and others soon to benefit, however, it’s about far more than policy.
“It’s a chance to start this chapter of life with dignity, support, and time,” he said. “That’s priceless.”
