Criminal Law Solicitor Salary in Derbyshire 2026
Salary benchmarks for criminal law solicitors in Derbyshire, 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 Derbyshire→Qualified Solicitor Salaries
Annual salary ranges for criminal law solicitors in Derbyshire 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) | £38,500 £30,500–£46,000 | £42,000 £33,500–£50,500 | £48,000 £38,500–£57,500 | £44,000 £35,500–£52,500 |
| 2-3 PQE | £44,000 £35,000–£52,500 | £48,000 £38,500–£58,000 | £55,000 £44,000–£66,000 | £50,000 £40,000–£61,000 |
| 4-5 PQE | £51,000 £40,500–£61,500 | £56,000 £44,500–£68,000 | £64,000 £50,500–£77,000 | £58,500 £46,500–£71,000 |
| 6-8 PQE | £60,500 £46,000–£75,000 | £66,500 £50,500–£82,500 | £75,500 £57,500–£93,500 | £69,500 £52,500–£86,000 |
| 8+ PQE | £68,000 £52,500–£89,500 | £75,000 £58,000–£98,000 | £85,000 £66,000–£112,000 | £78,000 £61,000–£102,500 |
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 Derbyshire. NQ salaries shown; the premium for larger firms widens with seniority.
High Street / Boutique
£38,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £30,500–£46,000
8+ PQE: up to £89,500
Regional / Mid-size
£42,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £33,500–£50,500
8+ PQE: up to £98,000
City / National
£48,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £38,500–£57,500
8+ PQE: up to £112,000
In-house
£44,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £35,500–£52,500
8+ PQE: up to £102,500
Non-qualified Roles
Salary benchmarks for support and fee-earning roles in Derbyshire 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 | £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 | £25,500 £24,500–£28,000 | £27,500 £25,500–£30,500 | £27,500 £25,500–£30,500 | £29,500 £27,000–£32,500 |
| 1-3 years | £27,000 £25,000–£30,000 | £29,500 £27,000–£32,500 | £29,500 £27,000–£32,500 | £31,500 £29,000–£35,000 |
| 3-5 years | £30,500 £27,000–£34,000 | £33,000 £29,500–£36,500 | £33,000 £29,500–£36,500 | £35,500 £31,500–£39,000 |
| 5+ years | £34,000 £30,000–£40,000 | £36,500 £32,000–£43,000 | £36,500 £32,000–£43,000 | £39,000 £34,500–£46,000 |
Criminal Law Firms in Derbyshire
Regulated criminal law firms in Derbyshire on the SRA register. Salaries above reflect the market across these firms.
Bakers Solicitors Limited
Glossop
Bhatia Best Limited
Derby
Broadbents Solicitors LLP
Heanor
Cjh Solicitors
Derby
Clarke Tinkler LLP
Also known as Smith Bowyer Clarke Road Transport Lawyers, Sbc Motoring Law
Derby
Dorians Solicitors Limited
Derby
Eddowes Waldron
Derby
Elliot Mather LLP
Chesterfield
Foys Solicitors
Also known as Foys Solicitors Incorporating Dean Thomas
Chesterfield
Howard Bernstein Solicitors Limited
Glossop
Smiths (solicitors) LLP
Also known as Smith Partnership
Derby
The Johnson Partnership
Derby
Vhs Fletchers
Chesterfield
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for a newly qualified criminal law solicitor in Derbyshire?
A newly qualified criminal law solicitor in Derbyshire earns between £33,500 and £50,500 at a mid-size regional firm, with a typical mid-point of £42,000. City or national firms may pay significantly more.
What does a criminal law solicitor earn at 4–5 PQE in Derbyshire?
At 4 to 5 years post-qualification experience, a criminal law solicitor in Derbyshire earns between £44,500 and £68,000 at a regional firm, with a mid-point of £56,000.
How does firm size affect criminal law solicitor salaries in Derbyshire?
Firm size has a significant impact on salary. At NQ level in Derbyshire, a high street or boutique firm typically pays around £38,500, while a City or national firm may pay £48,000 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 Derbyshire in 2026?
Paralegal salaries in Derbyshire 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.