Children Law Solicitor Salary in Dorset 2026
Salary benchmarks for children law solicitors in Dorset, from newly qualified (NQ) through to 8+ PQE, broken down by firm size. Includes paralegal, legal secretary and fee earner ranges. Data is based on market benchmarking across 29 regulated firms in the area.
View Children Law firms and jobs in Dorset→Qualified Solicitor Salaries
Annual salary ranges for children law solicitors in Dorset by experience level and firm type. Mid-point figures shown; hover or expand for full range.
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newly qualified (0-1 PQE) | £39,500 £31,500–£47,000 | £42,000 £35,000–£50,500 | £57,500 £46,000–£72,000 | £47,500 £40,000–£58,500 |
| 2-3 PQE | £45,000 £36,000–£54,000 | £49,000 £40,000–£58,500 | £64,500 £51,500–£83,000 | £54,500 £45,500–£67,500 |
| 4-5 PQE | £52,500 £41,500–£63,500 | £57,000 £46,500–£68,000 | £75,500 £59,000–£99,500 | £64,000 £51,000–£80,500 |
| 6-8 PQE | £62,000 £47,000–£77,000 | £66,500 £52,500–£82,000 | £90,500 £69,500–£120,000 | £75,000 £58,500–£96,000 |
| 8+ PQE | £70,000 £54,000–£92,000 | £78,500 £61,000–£103,000 | £109,000 £81,500–£147,500 | £89,500 £68,500–£118,500 |
Figures are regional estimates for guidance only. Actual salaries vary by firm, candidate profile, and negotiation.
Salary by Firm Size
How children law solicitor pay varies across firm types in Dorset. NQ salaries shown; the premium for larger firms widens with seniority.
High Street / Boutique
£39,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £31,500–£47,000
8+ PQE: up to £92,000
Regional / Mid-size
£42,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £35,000–£50,500
8+ PQE: up to £103,000
City / National
£57,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £46,000–£72,000
8+ PQE: up to £147,500
In-house
£47,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £40,000–£58,500
8+ PQE: up to £118,500
Non-qualified Roles
Salary benchmarks for support and fee-earning roles in Dorset children law teams. Figures use a mid-size firm baseline.
Paralegal
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £25,500 £24,000–£27,500 | £27,000 £25,000–£29,500 | £29,500 £27,000–£33,500 | £28,000 £25,500–£31,500 |
| 1-3 years | £27,000 £25,000–£29,500 | £29,000 £26,500–£32,500 | £33,000 £29,500–£37,500 | £30,500 £27,500–£34,000 |
| 3-5 years | £29,000 £26,500–£32,000 | £31,500 £28,500–£35,000 | £36,000 £32,000–£42,000 | £33,500 £29,500–£38,000 |
| 5+ years | £31,500 £28,500–£35,000 | £34,000 £30,500–£40,000 | £40,000 £34,500–£47,500 | £37,000 £32,500–£43,500 |
Legal Secretary / PA
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £24,500 £23,500–£26,000 | £25,500 £24,000–£27,500 | £29,000 £26,500–£32,500 | £27,000 £25,000–£29,500 |
| 1-3 years | £25,000 £24,000–£26,500 | £27,000 £25,000–£29,500 | £31,500 £28,500–£35,500 | £29,000 £26,500–£32,500 |
| 3-5 years | £26,000 £24,500–£28,000 | £29,000 £26,500–£31,500 | £34,000 £30,500–£39,000 | £31,500 £28,500–£35,000 |
| 5+ years | £28,000 £25,500–£31,500 | £31,000 £28,000–£35,000 | £38,000 £33,500–£44,500 | £34,000 £30,500–£40,000 |
Fee Earner / Legal Executive
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £26,000 £24,500–£29,000 | £29,000 £26,000–£32,500 | £34,500 £30,500–£39,500 | £32,000 £28,500–£36,500 |
| 1-3 years | £28,000 £26,000–£31,000 | £31,500 £28,000–£35,000 | £39,000 £33,500–£45,000 | £35,500 £31,000–£41,000 |
| 3-5 years | £31,500 £28,000–£35,000 | £35,000 £30,500–£40,000 | £44,000 £37,000–£52,000 | £39,000 £33,500–£46,500 |
| 5+ years | £35,000 £30,500–£41,000 | £39,500 £33,000–£48,000 | £50,000 £41,500–£61,000 | £44,500 £37,500–£54,500 |
Children Law Firms in Dorset
Regulated children law firms in Dorset on the SRA register. Salaries above reflect the market across these firms.
Aldridge Brownlee Solicitors LLP
Bournemouth
Battens Solicitors Limited
Wareham
Blanchards Bailey LLP
Dorchester
Child Law Partnership Limited
Bournemouth
Dutton Gregory LLP
Bournemouth
Ellis Jones Solicitors LLP
Bournemouth
Frettens LLP
Wimborne
Gales Solicitors Limited
Bournemouth
Humphries Kirk LLP
Also known as Hk Law
Blandford Forum
Jg Family Law Specialists Limited
Ferndown
Jordan Williams Law Limited
Also known as Traffic Solicitor Dorset
Wimborne
Kitson & Trotman LLP
Also known as Kt Law
Weymouth
Kjs Solicitors Limited
Also known as K J Smith Solicitors
Bournemouth
Laceys Solicitors LLP
Bournemouth
Leonard Solicitors LLP
Bournemouth
Showing 15 of 29 firms. See all firms in Dorset
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for a newly qualified children law solicitor in Dorset?
Newly qualified children law solicitors in Dorset typically earn between £31,500 and £72,000 depending on firm size, with boutique and high street firms around £39,500, mid-size firms around £42,000 and City or national firms around £57,500.
What does a children law solicitor earn at 4 to 5 PQE in Dorset?
At 4 to 5 PQE, children law solicitors in Dorset typically earn between £41,500 and £99,500 depending on firm size, with boutique firms around £52,500, mid-size around £57,000 and City or national firms around £75,500.
How does firm size affect children law solicitor salaries in Dorset?
Firm size has a significant impact on salary. At NQ level in Dorset, a high street or boutique firm typically pays around £39,500, while a City or national firm may pay £57,500 or more. The premium widens at senior levels, where large firms can pay substantially above regional norms.
What is the salary for a paralegal in Dorset in 2026?
Entry-level paralegals in Dorset typically earn between £24,000 and £29,500 depending on firm size, with boutique firms around £25,500 and mid-size firms around £27,000. With 5 or more years of experience, the range rises to £28,500 to £40,000, with boutique firms around £31,500 and mid-size around £34,000, based on 2026 benchmarking data.
Where does LawBoard salary data come from?
LawBoard salary benchmarks are derived from market data covering law firms registered with the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Figures are adjusted for region and practice area using established market multipliers. They represent typical ranges for guidance only and are updated periodically.
Related Pages
Firm data sourced from the Solicitors Regulation Authority register. Salary benchmarks are regional estimates for guidance only and are not specific to any individual firm. Recruitment support available via RecQuest.