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 18 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) | £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 Surrey. 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 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 | £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 Surrey
Regulated criminal law firms in Surrey on the SRA register. Salaries above reflect the market across these firms.
Amosu Robinshaw Solicitors Limited
Also known as Amosu Robinshaw Solicitors (practising Style for Amosu Robinshaw Limited)
Croydon
Andrew Purkiss
Also known as The Purkiss Partnership
Farnham
Audley Chaucer Limited
Esher
Briefs Law Limited
Chessington
Brooke Lavington Law
Croydon
Caylaw Ltd
Also known as Harrington-myers Solicitors
Kingston Upon Thames
Charles Allotey & Co
Croydon
Charles Russell Speechlys LLP
Guildford
Cowans Solicitors LLP
Dorking
Dpp Law Solicitors LLP
Also known as Sfr Law, Dbt & Partners, David Phillips and Partners
Tolworth
Frame Smith & Co
Horley
Huneewoth Solicitors Ltd
Croydon
Lam & Meerabux Solicitors Limited
Also known as Lm Solicitors
Croydon
Lionel Blackman Solicitors
Epsom
Markel Law LLP
Croydon
Showing 15 of 18 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?
A newly qualified criminal law solicitor in Surrey 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 Surrey?
At 4 to 5 years post-qualification experience, a criminal law solicitor in Surrey 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 Surrey?
Firm size has a significant impact on salary. At NQ level in Surrey, 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 Surrey in 2026?
Paralegal salaries in Surrey 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.