Criminal Law Solicitor Salary in Cornwall 2026
Salary benchmarks for criminal law solicitors in Cornwall, 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 13 regulated firms in the area.
View Criminal Law firms and jobs in Cornwall→Qualified Solicitor Salaries
Annual salary ranges for criminal law solicitors in Cornwall 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) | £35,000 £28,000–£42,000 | £37,500 £31,500–£45,500 | £54,000 £43,500–£68,000 | £44,500 £37,500–£54,500 |
| 2-3 PQE | £40,500 £32,000–£48,500 | £44,000 £36,000–£52,500 | £61,000 £49,000–£78,500 | £51,000 £42,500–£63,000 |
| 4-5 PQE | £47,000 £37,000–£56,500 | £51,000 £41,500–£61,000 | £71,500 £56,000–£94,000 | £59,500 £47,500–£75,000 |
| 6-8 PQE | £55,500 £42,000–£69,000 | £59,500 £47,000–£73,500 | £85,500 £65,500–£113,500 | £70,000 £54,500–£89,500 |
| 8+ PQE | £62,500 £48,500–£82,000 | £70,500 £54,500–£92,500 | £103,000 £76,500–£139,500 | £83,500 £64,000–£110,500 |
Figures are regional estimates for guidance only. Actual salaries vary by firm, candidate profile, and negotiation.
Salary by Firm Size
How criminal law solicitor pay varies across firm types in Cornwall. NQ salaries shown; the premium for larger firms widens with seniority.
High Street / Boutique
£35,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £28,000–£42,000
8+ PQE: up to £82,000
Regional / Mid-size
£37,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £31,500–£45,500
8+ PQE: up to £92,500
City / National
£54,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £43,500–£68,000
8+ PQE: up to £139,500
In-house
£44,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £37,500–£54,500
8+ PQE: up to £110,500
Non-qualified Roles
Salary benchmarks for support and fee-earning roles in Cornwall criminal 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 | £25,000 £23,500–£26,500 | £26,000 £24,500–£28,500 | £28,500 £26,000–£32,000 | £27,000 £25,000–£30,500 |
| 1-3 years | £26,000 £24,500–£28,500 | £28,000 £26,000–£31,500 | £31,500 £28,500–£36,500 | £29,500 £26,500–£33,000 |
| 3-5 years | £28,000 £26,000–£31,000 | £30,500 £27,500–£34,000 | £35,000 £31,000–£40,500 | £32,000 £28,500–£37,000 |
| 5+ years | £30,500 £27,500–£34,000 | £33,000 £29,500–£38,500 | £38,500 £33,500–£46,000 | £36,000 £31,500–£42,500 |
Legal Secretary / PA
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £24,500 £23,500–£26,000 | £25,000 £23,500–£26,500 | £28,000 £26,000–£31,500 | £26,000 £24,500–£28,500 |
| 1-3 years | £25,000 £24,000–£26,500 | £26,000 £24,500–£28,500 | £30,500 £27,500–£34,500 | £28,000 £26,000–£31,500 |
| 3-5 years | £25,500 £24,500–£27,000 | £28,000 £26,000–£30,500 | £33,000 £29,500–£37,500 | £30,500 £27,500–£34,000 |
| 5+ years | £27,000 £25,000–£30,500 | £30,000 £27,000–£34,000 | £37,000 £32,000–£43,000 | £33,000 £29,500–£38,500 |
Fee Earner / Legal Executive
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £24,500 £23,500–£26,000 | £26,000 £23,500–£29,000 | £32,500 £29,000–£37,500 | £30,000 £26,500–£34,000 |
| 1-3 years | £25,000 £24,000–£28,000 | £28,000 £25,000–£31,500 | £36,500 £32,000–£42,500 | £33,000 £29,000–£38,500 |
| 3-5 years | £28,000 £25,000–£31,500 | £31,500 £27,500–£36,000 | £41,500 £35,000–£49,500 | £36,500 £31,500–£43,500 |
| 5+ years | £31,500 £27,500–£37,000 | £35,000 £29,500–£43,000 | £47,000 £39,000–£57,500 | £41,500 £35,000–£51,000 |
Criminal Law Firms in Cornwall
Regulated criminal law firms in Cornwall on the SRA register. Salaries above reflect the market across these firms.
Ackland Hill Papenfus Solicitors Limited
Also known as Ah Solicitors
Camborne
Baileys Law Legal Services Ltd
Bodmin
Baileys Law LLP
Bodmin
C Nicholls Solicitors
Bodmin
Coodes LLP
Truro
Cornwall Defence Solicitors LLP
St. Austell
Cox Burley Solicitors
Liskeard
Howell Hylton Limited
Truro
Kernowlaw Ltd
Redruth
Parnalls Solicitors Limited
Launceston
Paul Robinson Solicitors LLP
Penzance
Richard Nelson LLP
Also known as Skiddaw Legal Consultancy Ltd, Keepmedriving, Aps Law Limited, Gillbanks Family Law, Medic Assistance Scheme, Lawyers Defence Group, Murdochs, Mjh Law Ltd, Murdochs Professional Discipline, Sportslaw Advice, Gail Cook Family Law, Deberne Legal Ltd, Knorpel Limited
Walters & Barbary LLP
Camborne
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for a newly qualified criminal law solicitor in Cornwall?
Newly qualified criminal law solicitors in Cornwall typically earn between £28,000 and £68,000 depending on firm size, with boutique and high street firms around £35,000, mid-size firms around £37,500 and City or national firms around £54,000.
What does a criminal law solicitor earn at 4 to 5 PQE in Cornwall?
At 4 to 5 PQE, criminal law solicitors in Cornwall typically earn between £37,000 and £94,000 depending on firm size, with boutique firms around £47,000, mid-size around £51,000 and City or national firms around £71,500.
How does firm size affect criminal law solicitor salaries in Cornwall?
Firm size has a significant impact on salary. At NQ level in Cornwall, a high street or boutique firm typically pays around £35,000, while a City or national firm may pay £54,000 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 Cornwall in 2026?
Entry-level paralegals in Cornwall typically earn between £23,500 and £28,500 depending on firm size, with boutique firms around £25,000 and mid-size firms around £26,000. With 5 or more years of experience, the range rises to £27,500 to £38,500, with boutique firms around £30,500 and mid-size around £33,000, 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.