Children Law Solicitor Salary in Essex 2026
Salary benchmarks for children law solicitors in Essex, 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 53 regulated firms in the area.
View Children Law firms and jobs in Essex→Qualified Solicitor Salaries
Annual salary ranges for children law solicitors in Essex 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–£47,500 | £43,500 £35,000–£52,500 | £49,500 £39,500–£59,500 | £45,500 £36,500–£54,500 |
| 2-3 PQE | £45,500 £36,000–£54,500 | £49,500 £39,500–£60,000 | £57,000 £45,500–£68,000 | £52,000 £41,500–£63,000 |
| 4-5 PQE | £53,000 £42,000–£64,000 | £58,000 £46,000–£70,500 | £66,000 £52,500–£79,500 | £60,500 £48,000–£73,500 |
| 6-8 PQE | £62,500 £47,500–£77,500 | £68,500 £52,500–£85,500 | £78,500 £59,500–£97,000 | £71,500 £54,500–£89,000 |
| 8+ PQE | £70,500 £54,500–£92,500 | £77,500 £60,000–£101,500 | £88,000 £68,000–£115,500 | £81,000 £63,000–£106,000 |
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 Essex. NQ salaries shown; the premium for larger firms widens with seniority.
High Street / Boutique
£39,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £31,500–£47,500
8+ PQE: up to £92,500
Regional / Mid-size
£43,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £35,000–£52,500
8+ PQE: up to £101,500
City / National
£49,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £39,500–£59,500
8+ PQE: up to £115,500
In-house
£45,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £36,500–£54,500
8+ PQE: up to £106,000
Non-qualified Roles
Salary benchmarks for support and fee-earning roles in Essex 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 | £27,000 £25,500–£29,000 | £29,000 £27,500–£31,500 | £29,000 £27,500–£31,500 | £31,000 £29,500–£33,500 |
| 1-3 years | £28,500 £26,500–£31,000 | £31,000 £28,500–£33,500 | £31,000 £28,500–£33,500 | £33,000 £30,500–£35,500 |
| 3-5 years | £30,500 £28,000–£33,500 | £33,000 £30,000–£36,000 | £33,000 £30,000–£36,000 | £35,000 £32,000–£38,500 |
| 5+ years | £33,000 £30,000–£37,000 | £35,500 £32,500–£40,000 | £35,500 £32,500–£40,000 | £38,000 £34,500–£42,500 |
Legal Secretary / PA
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £25,500 £24,500–£27,000 | £27,500 £26,500–£29,000 | £27,500 £26,500–£29,000 | £29,500 £28,000–£31,000 |
| 1-3 years | £26,500 £25,000–£28,000 | £28,500 £27,000–£30,000 | £28,500 £27,000–£30,000 | £30,500 £28,500–£32,000 |
| 3-5 years | £27,500 £25,500–£29,500 | £29,500 £27,500–£32,000 | £29,500 £27,500–£32,000 | £31,500 £29,500–£34,000 |
| 5+ years | £29,500 £27,000–£33,000 | £32,000 £29,000–£35,500 | £32,000 £29,000–£35,500 | £34,000 £31,000–£38,000 |
Fee Earner / Legal Executive
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £26,500 £24,500–£29,000 | £28,500 £26,500–£31,500 | £28,500 £26,500–£31,500 | £30,500 £28,000–£33,500 |
| 1-3 years | £28,000 £26,000–£31,000 | £30,500 £28,000–£33,500 | £30,500 £28,000–£33,500 | £32,500 £30,000–£36,000 |
| 3-5 years | £31,500 £28,000–£35,000 | £34,000 £30,500–£38,000 | £34,000 £30,500–£38,000 | £36,500 £32,500–£40,500 |
| 5+ years | £35,000 £31,000–£41,500 | £38,000 £33,500–£44,500 | £38,000 £33,500–£44,500 | £40,500 £35,500–£47,500 |
Children Law Firms in Essex
Regulated children law firms in Essex on the SRA register. Salaries above reflect the market across these firms.
Alvi Solicitors Ltd
Romford
Armstrong Family Law
Colchester
Atm Law
Ilford
Barnes and Partners
Harlow
Beecham Fisher Ridley
Also known as Beecham Fisher Solicitors
Southend-on-sea
Birketts LLP
Chelmsford
Bright & Sons (solicitors) Limited
Maldon
Browns Solicitors (essex) Ltd
Benfleet
Btmk Solicitors Limited
Also known as Btmk Solicitors Ltd T/a Marcus Baum
Southend-on-sea
Cooper Lingard
Leigh-on-sea
Criminal Defence Solicitors Limited
Also known as Sharma Law Solicitors
Ilford
Csp Family Law Ltd
Rayleigh
Drysdales Solicitors LLP
Southend-on-sea
E J Coombs Solicitors Ltd
Also known as K J Desbottes & Co, Forman Law
Danbury
Edward Oliver & Bellis
Ilford
Showing 15 of 53 firms. See all firms in Essex
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for a newly qualified children law solicitor in Essex?
A newly qualified children law solicitor in Essex earns between £35,000 and £52,500 at a mid-size regional firm, with a typical mid-point of £43,500. City or national firms may pay significantly more.
What does a children law solicitor earn at 4–5 PQE in Essex?
At 4 to 5 years post-qualification experience, a children law solicitor in Essex earns between £46,000 and £70,500 at a regional firm, with a mid-point of £58,000.
How does firm size affect children law solicitor salaries in Essex?
Firm size has a significant impact on salary. At NQ level in Essex, a high street or boutique firm typically pays around £39,500, while a City or national firm may pay £49,500 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 Essex in 2026?
Paralegal salaries in Essex start at around £27,500 for entry-level positions and rise to £40,000 or more with 5+ years of experience, 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.