Criminal Law Solicitor Salary in Leicestershire 2026
Salary benchmarks for criminal law solicitors in Leicestershire, 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 22 regulated firms in the area.
View Criminal Law firms and jobs in Leicestershire→Qualified Solicitor Salaries
Annual salary ranges for criminal law solicitors in Leicestershire 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 Leicestershire. 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 Leicestershire 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 Leicestershire
Regulated criminal law firms in Leicestershire on the SRA register. Salaries above reflect the market across these firms.
Archer Maher Limited
Leicester
Asr Advantage Law Limited
Also known as Advantage Law Incorporating David Bendell & Co, Advantage Law Incorporating Brown & Corbishley
Hinckley
Black & Co Legal Services Limited
Earl Shilton
Bond Adam Limited
Leicester
City Criminal Lawyers Ltd
Leicester
Dodds Solicitors LLP
Leicester
Hcb Solicitors Ltd
Also known as Hcb Solicitors Ltd (practising Style for Hcb Solicitors Ltd)
Leicester
Headleys
Lutterworth
K a McCole Limited
Hinckley
Klarks Law Ltd
Leicester
Louis Kennedy Solicitors Ltd
Leicester
Mander Cruickshank Solicitors LLP
Coalville
Oliver D'sa
Leicester
Olwen M Davies Ltd
Leicester
Parity Legal Limited
Also known as Garrisons Legal
Leicester
Showing 15 of 22 firms. See all firms in Leicestershire
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for a newly qualified criminal law solicitor in Leicestershire?
A newly qualified criminal law solicitor in Leicestershire 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 Leicestershire?
At 4 to 5 years post-qualification experience, a criminal law solicitor in Leicestershire 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 Leicestershire?
Firm size has a significant impact on salary. At NQ level in Leicestershire, 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 Leicestershire in 2026?
Paralegal salaries in Leicestershire 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.