Criminal Law Solicitor Salary in East Sussex 2026
Salary benchmarks for criminal law solicitors in East Sussex, 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 26 regulated firms in the area.
View Criminal Law firms and jobs in East Sussex→Qualified Solicitor Salaries
Annual salary ranges for criminal law solicitors in East Sussex 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 | £41,000 £34,000–£49,500 | £58,500 £47,500–£74,000 | £48,000 £40,500–£59,000 |
| 2-3 PQE | £44,000 £35,000–£52,500 | £47,500 £39,000–£57,000 | £66,500 £53,000–£85,500 | £55,500 £46,500–£68,500 |
| 4-5 PQE | £51,000 £40,500–£61,500 | £55,500 £45,000–£66,500 | £77,500 £60,500–£102,500 | £65,000 £52,000–£81,500 |
| 6-8 PQE | £60,500 £46,000–£75,000 | £64,500 £51,000–£80,000 | £93,000 £71,000–£123,000 | £76,000 £59,000–£97,000 |
| 8+ PQE | £68,000 £52,500–£89,500 | £76,500 £59,500–£100,500 | £112,000 £83,500–£151,500 | £90,500 £69,500–£120,500 |
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 East Sussex. 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
£41,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £34,000–£49,500
8+ PQE: up to £100,500
City / National
£58,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £47,500–£74,000
8+ PQE: up to £151,500
In-house
£48,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £40,500–£59,000
8+ PQE: up to £120,500
Non-qualified Roles
Salary benchmarks for support and fee-earning roles in East Sussex 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 | £28,500 £26,500–£31,000 | £31,000 £28,500–£35,000 | £29,500 £27,000–£33,000 |
| 1-3 years | £28,500 £26,500–£31,000 | £30,500 £28,000–£34,000 | £34,500 £31,000–£39,500 | £32,000 £29,000–£36,000 |
| 3-5 years | £30,500 £28,000–£33,500 | £33,000 £30,000–£37,000 | £38,000 £33,500–£44,000 | £35,000 £31,000–£40,000 |
| 5+ years | £33,000 £30,000–£37,000 | £36,000 £32,000–£42,000 | £42,000 £36,500–£50,000 | £39,000 £34,000–£46,000 |
Legal Secretary / PA
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £25,500 £24,500–£27,000 | £27,000 £25,500–£29,000 | £30,500 £28,000–£34,000 | £28,500 £26,500–£31,000 |
| 1-3 years | £26,500 £25,000–£28,000 | £28,500 £26,500–£31,000 | £33,000 £30,000–£37,500 | £30,500 £28,000–£34,000 |
| 3-5 years | £27,500 £25,500–£29,500 | £30,500 £28,000–£33,000 | £36,000 £32,000–£41,000 | £33,000 £30,000–£37,000 |
| 5+ years | £29,500 £27,000–£33,000 | £32,500 £29,500–£37,000 | £38,000 £33,500–£44,500 | £36,000 £32,000–£42,000 |
Fee Earner / Legal Executive
| Experience | High Street / Boutique | Regional / Mid-size | City / National | In-house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | £25,500 £24,000–£28,000 | £28,000 £25,500–£31,500 | £35,500 £31,500–£40,500 | £32,500 £28,500–£37,000 |
| 1-3 years | £27,000 £25,000–£30,000 | £30,500 £27,000–£34,000 | £40,000 £34,500–£46,500 | £36,000 £31,500–£41,500 |
| 3-5 years | £30,500 £27,000–£34,000 | £34,000 £30,000–£39,000 | £45,000 £38,000–£53,500 | £40,000 £34,000–£47,000 |
| 5+ years | £34,000 £30,000–£40,000 | £38,500 £32,500–£47,000 | £51,000 £42,500–£62,500 | £45,500 £38,000–£55,500 |
Criminal Law Firms in East Sussex
Regulated criminal law firms in East Sussex on the SRA register. Salaries above reflect the market across these firms.
Abr Solicitors Limited
Also known as Clarion Advocates
Brighton
Benson George Solicitors
Peacehaven
Bishop & Light Solicitors Limited
Also known as Bishop & Light Incorporating Hunters
Hove
Brian MacKrell & Co Ltd
Also known as MacKrell March & Co
Hove
Britton and Time Limited
Hove
Bws
Brighton
Cramp and Mullaney LLP
Battle
Emw Law LLP
Also known as Emw (practising Style for - Emw Law Llp), Sp Law (practising Style for Emw Law LLP Northampton Office), Penman Sedgwick (practising Style for Emw Law LLP Watford Office)
Brighton
Harringtons Solicitors Limited
Brighton
Harris Paley Schone Limited
Hove
Horsman Solicitors Limited
Lewes
Kellys Solicitors (brighton) Ltd
Brighton
Linda Filby
Brighton
Martin Cray & Co
Brighton
Mitchell Solicitors
Eastbourne
Showing 15 of 26 firms. See all firms in East Sussex
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for a newly qualified criminal law solicitor in East Sussex?
Newly qualified criminal law solicitors in East Sussex typically earn between £30,500 and £49,500 depending on firm size, with boutique and high street firms around £38,500 and mid-size firms around £41,000.
What does a criminal law solicitor earn at 4 to 5 PQE in East Sussex?
At 4 to 5 PQE, criminal law solicitors in East Sussex typically earn between £40,500 and £66,500 depending on firm size, with boutique firms around £51,000 and mid-size around £55,500.
How does firm size affect criminal law solicitor salaries in East Sussex?
Firm size has a significant impact on salary. At NQ level in East Sussex, a high street or boutique firm typically pays around £38,500, while a City or national firm may pay £58,500 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 East Sussex in 2026?
Entry-level paralegals in East Sussex typically earn between £25,500 and £31,000 depending on firm size, with boutique firms around £27,000 and mid-size firms around £28,500. With 5 or more years of experience, the range rises to £30,000 to £42,000, with boutique firms around £33,000 and mid-size around £36,000, 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.