Barristers and judges
£61,007
Average salary
36 hours
Average weekly hours
1.26%
Unemployment rate
Definition: Solicitors and lawyers
*SOC Code (Standard Occupational Classification): 2412
Solicitors advise and act on behalf of individuals, organisations, businesses and government departments in legal matters.
Common tasks include:
- draws up contracts, leases, wills and other legal documents
- undertakes legal business on behalf of client in areas of business law, criminal law, probate, conveyancing and litigation, and acts as trustee or executor if required
- instructs counsel in higher and lower courts and pleads cases in lower courts as appropriate
- scrutinises statements, reports and legal documents relevant to the case being undertaken and prepares papers for court
- represents clients in court
Qualifications
Entry to training usually requires a qualifying law degree or postgraduate diploma. Apprenticeships are also available. Graduates in subjects other than law must first take a one year conversion course. All entrants undertake a one year legal practice course, followed by a two-year training contract. From 2021 Solicitors also need to pass the Solicitor's Qualifying Examination.
*Introduced in 1990, SOC is a multi-purpose common classification of occupations in UK. Jobs are defined in terms of skill level and skill content, including qualifications, training and work experience.
Employment status: Solicitors and lawyers
Regional employment: Solicitors and lawyers
Future employment: Solicitors and lawyers
Top 12 industries: Solicitors and lawyers
Alternative & related job titles: Solicitors and lawyers
Lawyer Managing clerk (qualified solicitor) Solicitor Solicitor-partner Solicitor to the council
Equality focus: Solicitors and lawyers
Breaking down the official government big data sources by gender, age and region. Hours and pay data based on full time equlivalent roles.
Breakdown by gender
£56,314
Female average annual salary
£66,221
Male average annual salary
35
Female average weekly hours
38
Male average weekly hours
Average pay per hour: Solicitors and lawyers
Workforce gender: Solicitors and lawyers
Breakdown by region
£67,264
South East (England) - highest annual average salary
£54,229
North East (England) - lowest annual average salary
40
South East (England) - Highest average weekly hours
35
North East (England) - Lowest average weekly hours
Average pay per week (£): Solicitors and lawyers
Average weekly hours by UK region/nation: Solicitors and lawyers
Breakdown by age
20 years
Lowest annual salary (£26,593)
50 years
Highest annual salary (£59,443) at this age