Criminal Law Solicitor Salary in Sussex 2026
Salary benchmarks for criminal law solicitors in 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 23 regulated firms in the area.
View Criminal Law firms and jobs in Sussex→Qualified Solicitor Salaries
Annual salary ranges for criminal law solicitors in 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 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 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 Sussex
Regulated criminal law firms in Sussex on the SRA register. Salaries above reflect the market across these firms.
Bishop & Light Solicitors Limited
Also known as Bishop & Light Incorporating Hunters
Hove
Brian MacKrell & Co Ltd
Also known as MacKrell March & Co
Hove
Bws
Brighton
Cheesemans Solicitors
Worthing
Cramp and Mullaney LLP
Eastbourne
David Street & Company
Crawley
Finlay Solicitors
Littlehampton
Geoff White Solicitors
Crawley
Harris Paley Schone Limited
Hove
Horsman Solicitors Limited
Lewes
Kellys Solicitors (brighton) Ltd
Brighton
Mjr Solicitors Limited
Bognor Regis
Nigel Weller & Co
Laughton
Old Bailey Solicitors Limited
Brighton
Pbip Solicitors Limited
Also known as Palmer Biggs Ip, Solicitors
Gatwick
Showing 15 of 23 firms. See all firms in Sussex
Check your own salary
Use LawBoard's free salary estimator to get a personalised benchmark for your role, experience level, and location. Create a profile to save your result and track target firms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for a newly qualified criminal law solicitor in Sussex?
A newly qualified criminal law solicitor in Sussex earns between £34,000 and £49,500 at a mid-size regional firm, with a typical mid-point of £41,000. City or national firms may pay significantly more.
What does a criminal law solicitor earn at 4–5 PQE in Sussex?
At 4 to 5 years post-qualification experience, a criminal law solicitor in Sussex earns between £45,000 and £66,500 at a regional firm, with a mid-point of £55,500.
How does firm size affect criminal law solicitor salaries in Sussex?
Firm size has a significant impact on salary. At NQ level in 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 Sussex in 2026?
Paralegal salaries in Sussex start at around £26,500 for entry-level positions and rise to £42,000 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.