Criminal Law Solicitor Salary in Surrey 2026
Salary benchmarks for criminal law solicitors in Surrey, 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 21 regulated firms in the area.
View Criminal Law firms and jobs in Surrey→Qualified Solicitor Salaries
Annual salary ranges for criminal law solicitors in Surrey 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) | £40,000 £32,000–£48,000 | £43,000 £35,500–£52,000 | £61,500 £49,500–£77,500 | £50,500 £42,500–£62,000 |
| 2-3 PQE | £46,000 £36,500–£55,500 | £50,000 £41,000–£60,000 | £69,500 £55,500–£89,500 | £58,500 £48,500–£72,000 |
| 4-5 PQE | £53,500 £42,500–£64,500 | £58,000 £47,500–£69,500 | £81,500 £63,500–£107,500 | £68,000 £54,500–£85,500 |
| 6-8 PQE | £63,500 £48,000–£78,500 | £68,000 £53,500–£84,000 | £97,500 £74,500–£129,500 | £79,500 £62,000–£102,000 |
| 8+ PQE | £71,500 £55,500–£93,500 | £80,500 £62,500–£105,500 | £117,500 £87,500–£159,000 | £95,000 £73,000–£126,500 |
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 Surrey. NQ salaries shown; the premium for larger firms widens with seniority.
High Street / Boutique
£40,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £32,000–£48,000
8+ PQE: up to £93,500
Regional / Mid-size
£43,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £35,500–£52,000
8+ PQE: up to £105,500
City / National
£61,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £49,500–£77,500
8+ PQE: up to £159,000
In-house
£50,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £42,500–£62,000
8+ PQE: up to £126,500
Non-qualified Roles
Salary benchmarks for support and fee-earning roles in Surrey 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 | £28,500 £27,000–£30,500 | £30,000 £28,000–£32,500 | £32,500 £30,000–£37,000 | £31,000 £28,500–£34,500 |
| 1-3 years | £30,000 £28,000–£32,500 | £32,000 £29,500–£35,500 | £36,000 £32,500–£41,500 | £33,500 £30,500–£38,000 |
| 3-5 years | £32,000 £29,500–£35,000 | £34,500 £31,500–£39,000 | £40,000 £35,000–£46,000 | £37,000 £32,500–£42,000 |
| 5+ years | £34,500 £31,500–£39,000 | £38,000 £33,500–£44,000 | £44,000 £38,500–£52,500 | £41,000 £35,500–£48,500 |
Legal Secretary / PA
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £27,000 £25,500–£28,500 | £28,500 £27,000–£30,500 | £32,000 £29,500–£35,500 | £30,000 £28,000–£32,500 |
| 1-3 years | £28,000 £26,500–£29,500 | £30,000 £28,000–£32,500 | £34,500 £31,500–£39,500 | £32,000 £29,500–£35,500 |
| 3-5 years | £29,000 £27,000–£31,000 | £32,000 £29,500–£34,500 | £38,000 £33,500–£43,000 | £34,500 £31,500–£39,000 |
| 5+ years | £31,000 £28,500–£34,500 | £34,000 £31,000–£39,000 | £38,500 £34,000–£45,000 | £38,000 £33,500–£44,000 |
Fee Earner / Legal Executive
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £27,000 £25,000–£29,500 | £29,500 £27,000–£33,000 | £37,500 £33,000–£43,000 | £34,000 £30,000–£39,000 |
| 1-3 years | £28,500 £26,500–£31,500 | £32,000 £28,500–£35,500 | £42,000 £36,500–£48,500 | £38,000 £33,000–£43,500 |
| 3-5 years | £32,000 £28,500–£35,500 | £35,500 £31,000–£41,000 | £47,500 £40,000–£56,000 | £42,000 £36,000–£49,500 |
| 5+ years | £35,500 £31,000–£42,000 | £40,000 £34,000–£49,000 | £53,500 £45,000–£65,500 | £47,500 £40,000–£58,500 |
Criminal Law Firms in Surrey
Regulated criminal law firms in Surrey on the SRA register. Salaries above reflect the market across these firms.
Andrew Purkiss
Also known as The Purkiss Partnership
Farnham
Andrew Storch Solicitors Ltd
Aldershot
Audley Chaucer Limited
Esher
Blackfords LLP
Woking
Charles Russell Speechlys LLP
Doha
Coleman & Betts
Leatherhead
Cowans Solicitors LLP
Dorking
Frame Smith & Co
Aldershot
Geoff White Solicitors
Horley
Goodall Barnett James Ltd
Also known as Goodhall Barnett James Ltd
Horley
Harbord & Co Limited
Dorking
Levales Solicitors LLP
Aldershot
Lionel Blackman Solicitors
Epsom
McArthur Law Limited
Woking
Old Bailey Solicitors Limited
Horley
Showing 15 of 21 firms. See all firms in Surrey
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for a newly qualified criminal law solicitor in Surrey?
Newly qualified criminal law solicitors in Surrey typically earn between £32,000 and £77,500 depending on firm size, with boutique and high street firms around £40,000, mid-size firms around £43,000 and City or national firms around £61,500.
What does a criminal law solicitor earn at 4 to 5 PQE in Surrey?
At 4 to 5 PQE, criminal law solicitors in Surrey typically earn between £42,500 and £107,500 depending on firm size, with boutique firms around £53,500, mid-size around £58,000 and City or national firms around £81,500.
How does firm size affect criminal law solicitor salaries in Surrey?
Firm size has a significant impact on salary. At NQ level in Surrey, a high street or boutique firm typically pays around £40,000, while a City or national firm may pay £61,500 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 Surrey in 2026?
Entry-level paralegals in Surrey typically earn between £27,000 and £32,500 depending on firm size, with boutique firms around £28,500 and mid-size firms around £30,000. With 5 or more years of experience, the range rises to £31,500 to £44,000, with boutique firms around £34,500 and mid-size around £38,000, 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.