Criminal Law Solicitor Salary in London 2026
Salary benchmarks for criminal law solicitors in London, 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 57 regulated firms in the area.
View Criminal Law firms and jobs in London→Qualified Solicitor Salaries
Annual salary ranges for criminal law solicitors in London 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) | £48,000 £38,500–£57,500 | £52,500 £42,000–£63,000 | £60,000 £48,000–£71,500 | £54,500 £44,000–£66,000 |
| 2-3 PQE | £54,500 £43,500–£66,000 | £60,000 £48,000–£72,500 | £68,500 £54,500–£82,500 | £62,500 £50,000–£76,000 |
| 4-5 PQE | £64,000 £50,500–£77,000 | £70,000 £56,000–£85,000 | £79,500 £63,000–£96,000 | £73,500 £58,000–£88,500 |
| 6-8 PQE | £75,500 £57,500–£93,500 | £83,000 £63,000–£103,000 | £94,500 £71,500–£117,000 | £86,500 £66,000–£107,500 |
| 8+ PQE | £85,000 £66,000–£111,500 | £93,500 £72,500–£122,500 | £106,500 £82,500–£139,500 | £98,000 £76,000–£128,000 |
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 London. NQ salaries shown; the premium for larger firms widens with seniority.
High Street / Boutique
£48,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £38,500–£57,500
8+ PQE: up to £111,500
Regional / Mid-size
£52,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £42,000–£63,000
8+ PQE: up to £122,500
City / National
£60,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £48,000–£71,500
8+ PQE: up to £139,500
In-house
£54,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £44,000–£66,000
8+ PQE: up to £128,000
Non-qualified Roles
Salary benchmarks for support and fee-earning roles in London 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 | £34,000 £32,000–£36,500 | £36,500 £34,500–£39,000 | £36,500 £34,500–£39,000 | £39,000 £37,000–£42,000 |
| 1-3 years | £35,500 £33,000–£39,000 | £38,500 £36,000–£42,000 | £38,500 £36,000–£42,000 | £41,500 £38,000–£44,500 |
| 3-5 years | £38,000 £35,000–£42,000 | £41,000 £38,000–£45,000 | £41,000 £38,000–£45,000 | £44,000 £40,000–£48,000 |
| 5+ years | £41,500 £37,500–£46,500 | £44,500 £40,500–£50,000 | £44,500 £40,500–£50,000 | £47,500 £43,000–£53,000 |
Legal Secretary / PA
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £32,000 £30,500–£34,000 | £34,500 £33,000–£36,500 | £34,500 £33,000–£36,500 | £37,000 £35,000–£39,000 |
| 1-3 years | £33,000 £31,500–£35,000 | £36,000 £34,000–£38,000 | £36,000 £34,000–£38,000 | £38,000 £35,500–£40,000 |
| 3-5 years | £34,500 £32,000–£37,000 | £37,000 £34,500–£40,000 | £37,000 £34,500–£40,000 | £39,500 £37,000–£42,500 |
| 5+ years | £37,000 £34,000–£41,500 | £40,000 £36,500–£44,500 | £40,000 £36,500–£44,500 | £42,500 £39,000–£47,500 |
Fee Earner / Legal Executive
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £32,000 £30,000–£35,000 | £34,500 £32,000–£38,000 | £34,500 £32,000–£38,000 | £36,500 £34,000–£40,500 |
| 1-3 years | £34,000 £31,500–£37,500 | £36,500 £34,000–£40,500 | £36,500 £34,000–£40,500 | £39,500 £36,000–£43,500 |
| 3-5 years | £38,500 £34,000–£42,500 | £41,500 £36,500–£46,000 | £41,500 £36,500–£46,000 | £44,000 £39,500–£49,000 |
| 5+ years | £42,500 £37,000–£50,000 | £46,000 £40,000–£54,000 | £46,000 £40,000–£54,000 | £49,000 £43,000–£57,500 |
Criminal Law Firms in London
Regulated criminal law firms in London on the SRA register. Salaries above reflect the market across these firms.
2012 Law Limited
Also known as London Drink Driving Solicitor, Oxford Drink Driving Solicitor, Driving Solicitors, Criminal Defence Solicitors, Hartley's Firearms Solicitors, Hartley's Criminal Defence Solicitors
London
7 Law Solicitors
London
A & E Law Ltd
Also known as Eshaghian & Co (trading Style for a & E Law Limited)
London
A S Solicitors
London
A2 Solicitors
London
Ac Gilead Solicitors Limited
London
Adh Law
London
Aq Archers Solicitors Limited
London
Armstrong Law Limited
London
Britton and Time Limited
Brysons
London
Cfj and Co Solicitors Limited
London
Charles Russell Speechlys LLP
London
Coninghams
London
David Tang & Co
London
Showing 15 of 57 firms. See all firms in London
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for a newly qualified criminal law solicitor in London?
A newly qualified criminal law solicitor in London earns between £42,000 and £63,000 at a mid-size regional firm, with a typical mid-point of £52,500. City or national firms may pay significantly more.
What does a criminal law solicitor earn at 4–5 PQE in London?
At 4 to 5 years post-qualification experience, a criminal law solicitor in London earns between £56,000 and £85,000 at a regional firm, with a mid-point of £70,000.
How does firm size affect criminal law solicitor salaries in London?
Firm size has a significant impact on salary. At NQ level in London, a high street or boutique firm typically pays around £48,000, while a City or national firm may pay £60,000 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 London in 2026?
Paralegal salaries in London start at around £34,500 for entry-level positions and rise to £50,000 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.