The University of Law is to relocate its York branch to Leeds in September 2014, in order to be based in "the UK's newest legal hub".

The University hopes to increase enrolment to around 600 students in Leeds in the next three years, according to president and provost Nigel Savage. There are currently 368 full and part-time students based in York.

"All the students have been notified in advance, to mitigate the impact on staff and students," said Savage of the move, which will cost the University at least £1.25m.

Compared to York, Leeds boasts a much larger legal community, which the University plans to tap into in a bid to enhance its students' employability prospects.

Around 150 law firms – including DLA Piper, Eversheds, Pinsent Masons and Irwin Mitchell – operate in Leeds, employing 6,700 people in total and 12,300 people in the wider metropolitan region.

Students affected by the relocation are being consulted by the University, and packages of support – such as help with travel costs – being offered on a case by case basis.

The University said the relocation to Leeds would also allow it to offer a broader range of programmes, and give law firms based in the North East region easy access to all of their staff training requirements.

"Locating The University of Law in the heart of the city would enable law firms to source high calibre law students as well as the highest quality legal training for their staff," said Savage (pictured).

"Providing top class skills training would help to underpin the future economic growth of Leeds and the wider North East region by ensuring that the legal and business sectors have access to the best talent."

The move has been warmly received by several members of Leeds' legal community.

"We share the University of Law's confidence in the Leeds market as a hub for legal services and welcome their planned further investment in the sector," said Irwin Mitchell group chief executive John Pickering.

"A buoyant legal services market needs an organisation like the University to drive innovation and prepare the next generation of young lawyers for the range of demands that they face in delivering legal services."

"This is great news for the Leeds professional services sector and long overdue," added Robin Smith, former senior partner of DLA Piper. "[The University's] presence in the city will add real value to the renaissance that is it taking place in Leeds in the professional services sector and business community in general."