And in a further blow to would-be solicitors, although 56% of law firms surveyed have seen a rise in job applications from graduates, an overwhelming 76% confirmed they have no plans to recruit any graduates in the next 12 months.
Contact Law's poll also looked at staff levels and recruitment amongst medium-sized law firms in general, with the picture looking equally as bleak.
A third of those polled have cut staff levels over the last year due to the economic climate, and one-in-five may be forced to make further redundancies over the next six months.
The survey also revealed that law firms find it hardest to recruit talent at associate level, with 50% stating this was the most difficult level to find good employees. This was followed by partner level (33%), then graduates (17%).
Dan Watkins, director, Contact Law, said: "The results of our survey are stark. Three quarters of medium-sized law firms are not planning to recruit graduates over the next 12 months.
"Graduate lawyers need to be prepared for a tough year, as firms concentrate on maintaining current staffing levels and put their recruitment drives on hold. It also means that the competition for the few vacancies on offer will be fierce.
"To improve their prospects of picking up a graduate contract, applicants may be wise to focus on firms which specialise in legal areas that have seen steady growth over the past two years, such as those specialising in family law, employment and commercial disputes."
