Civil Litigation Solicitor Salary in Sussex 2026
Salary benchmarks for civil litigation solicitors in Sussex, 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 51 regulated firms in the area.
View Civil Litigation firms and jobs in Sussex→Qualified Solicitor Salaries
Annual salary ranges for civil litigation solicitors in Sussex 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) | £45,000 £36,000–£54,000 | £48,000 £40,000–£58,000 | £62,000 £50,000–£78,000 | £52,000 £44,000–£64,000 |
| 2-3 PQE | £51,500 £41,000–£62,000 | £56,000 £46,000–£67,000 | £70,000 £56,000–£90,000 | £60,000 £50,000–£74,000 |
| 4-5 PQE | £60,000 £47,500–£72,500 | £65,000 £53,000–£78,000 | £82,000 £64,000–£108,000 | £70,000 £56,000–£88,000 |
| 6-8 PQE | £71,000 £54,000–£88,000 | £76,000 £60,000–£94,000 | £98,000 £75,000–£130,000 | £82,000 £64,000–£105,000 |
| 8+ PQE | £80,000 £62,000–£105,000 | £90,000 £70,000–£118,000 | £118,000 £88,000–£160,000 | £98,000 £75,000–£130,000 |
Figures are regional estimates for guidance only. Actual salaries vary by firm, candidate profile, and negotiation.
Salary by Firm Size
How civil litigation solicitor pay varies across firm types in Sussex. NQ salaries shown; the premium for larger firms widens with seniority.
High Street / Boutique
£45,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £36,000–£54,000
8+ PQE: up to £105,000
Regional / Mid-size
£48,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £40,000–£58,000
8+ PQE: up to £118,000
City / National
£62,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £50,000–£78,000
8+ PQE: up to £160,000
In-house
£52,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £44,000–£64,000
8+ PQE: up to £130,000
Non-qualified Roles
Salary benchmarks for support and fee-earning roles in Sussex civil litigation 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 | £28,500 £26,500–£31,000 | £31,000 £28,500–£35,000 | £29,500 £27,000–£33,000 |
| 1-3 years | £28,500 £26,500–£31,000 | £30,500 £28,000–£34,000 | £34,500 £31,000–£39,500 | £32,000 £29,000–£36,000 |
| 3-5 years | £30,500 £28,000–£33,500 | £33,000 £30,000–£37,000 | £38,000 £33,500–£44,000 | £35,000 £31,000–£40,000 |
| 5+ years | £33,000 £30,000–£37,000 | £36,000 £32,000–£42,000 | £42,000 £36,500–£50,000 | £39,000 £34,000–£46,000 |
Legal Secretary / PA
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £25,500 £24,500–£27,000 | £27,000 £25,500–£29,000 | £30,500 £28,000–£34,000 | £28,500 £26,500–£31,000 |
| 1-3 years | £26,500 £25,000–£28,000 | £28,500 £26,500–£31,000 | £33,000 £30,000–£37,500 | £30,500 £28,000–£34,000 |
| 3-5 years | £27,500 £25,500–£29,500 | £30,500 £28,000–£33,000 | £36,000 £32,000–£41,000 | £33,000 £30,000–£37,000 |
| 5+ years | £29,500 £27,000–£33,000 | £32,500 £29,500–£37,000 | £38,000 £33,500–£44,500 | £36,000 £32,000–£42,000 |
Fee Earner / Legal Executive
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £30,000 £28,000–£33,000 | £33,000 £30,000–£37,000 | £37,500 £33,000–£43,000 | £35,000 £31,000–£40,000 |
| 1-3 years | £32,000 £29,500–£35,500 | £36,000 £32,000–£40,000 | £42,000 £36,500–£49,000 | £39,000 £34,000–£45,000 |
| 3-5 years | £36,000 £32,000–£40,000 | £40,000 £35,000–£46,000 | £47,500 £40,000–£56,500 | £43,000 £37,000–£51,000 |
| 5+ years | £40,000 £35,000–£47,000 | £45,000 £38,000–£55,000 | £54,000 £45,000–£66,000 | £49,000 £41,000–£60,000 |
Civil Litigation Firms in Sussex
Regulated civil litigation firms in Sussex on the SRA register. Salaries above reflect the market across these firms.
Acumen Law Limited
Also known as Acumen Business Law, Acumen People
Hove
Adams & Remers LLP
Lewes
Arlingsworth Solicitors Ltd
Brighton
Barwells Legal Limited
Eastbourne
Bennett Griffin LLP
Worthing
Bennett Oakley Limited
Burgess Hill
Bes Legal Limited
Lancing
Burt Brill & Cardens Limited
Brighton
Chamberlain Martin Solicitors
Littlehampton
Cole Francis Limited
Haywards Heath
Coole Bevis LLP
Worthing
Cramp and Mullaney LLP
Eastbourne
Cunningtons LLP
Brighton
D J Quelch
Horsham
Dawson Hart Solicitors Limited
Uckfield
Showing 15 of 51 firms. See all firms in Sussex
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for a newly qualified civil litigation solicitor in Sussex?
A newly qualified civil litigation solicitor in Sussex earns between £40,000 and £58,000 at a mid-size regional firm, with a typical mid-point of £48,000. City or national firms may pay significantly more.
What does a civil litigation solicitor earn at 4–5 PQE in Sussex?
At 4 to 5 years post-qualification experience, a civil litigation solicitor in Sussex earns between £53,000 and £78,000 at a regional firm, with a mid-point of £65,000.
How does firm size affect civil litigation solicitor salaries in Sussex?
Firm size has a significant impact on salary. At NQ level in Sussex, a high street or boutique firm typically pays around £45,000, while a City or national firm may pay £62,000 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 Sussex in 2026?
Paralegal salaries in Sussex start at around £26,500 for entry-level positions and rise to £42,000 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.