Civil Litigation Solicitor Salary in London 2026
Salary benchmarks for civil litigation 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 156 regulated firms in the area.
View Civil Litigation firms and jobs in London→Qualified Solicitor Salaries
Annual salary ranges for civil litigation 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) | £56,500 £45,000–£67,500 | £62,000 £49,500–£74,500 | £70,500 £56,500–£84,500 | £64,500 £52,000–£77,500 |
| 2-3 PQE | £64,500 £51,500–£77,500 | £70,500 £56,500–£85,000 | £80,500 £64,500–£97,000 | £74,000 £59,000–£89,500 |
| 4-5 PQE | £75,000 £59,500–£90,500 | £82,500 £65,500–£100,000 | £94,000 £74,500–£113,000 | £86,500 £68,000–£104,500 |
| 6-8 PQE | £89,000 £67,500–£110,000 | £97,500 £74,500–£121,500 | £111,500 £84,500–£137,500 | £102,000 £77,500–£126,500 |
| 8+ PQE | £100,000 £77,500–£131,500 | £110,000 £85,000–£144,500 | £120,000 £97,000–£156,000 | £115,000 £89,500–£150,500 |
Figures are regional estimates for guidance only. Actual salaries vary by firm, candidate profile, and negotiation.
Salary by Firm Size
How civil litigation solicitor pay varies across firm types in London. NQ salaries shown; the premium for larger firms widens with seniority.
High Street / Boutique
£56,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £45,000–£67,500
8+ PQE: up to £131,500
Regional / Mid-size
£62,000
NQ (typical)
Range: £49,500–£74,500
8+ PQE: up to £144,500
City / National
£70,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £56,500–£84,500
8+ PQE: up to £156,000
In-house
£64,500
NQ (typical)
Range: £52,000–£77,500
8+ PQE: up to £150,500
Non-qualified Roles
Salary benchmarks for support and fee-earning roles in London civil litigation 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 | £37,500 £35,000–£41,500 | £40,500 £38,000–£44,500 | £40,500 £38,000–£44,500 | £43,000 £40,000–£47,500 |
| 1-3 years | £40,000 £37,000–£44,500 | £43,000 £40,000–£48,000 | £43,000 £40,000–£48,000 | £46,500 £42,500–£51,500 |
| 3-5 years | £45,000 £40,000–£50,000 | £48,500 £43,000–£54,000 | £48,500 £43,000–£54,000 | £52,000 £46,500–£57,500 |
| 5+ years | £50,000 £44,000–£59,000 | £54,000 £47,500–£63,500 | £54,000 £47,500–£63,500 | £57,500 £50,500–£67,500 |
Civil Litigation Firms in London
Regulated civil litigation firms in London on the SRA register. Salaries above reflect the market across these firms.
A2 Solicitors
London
Abu Reza (jkr Solicitors)
Also known as Jkr Solicitors
London
Adh Law
London
Amphlett Lissimore Bagshaws LLP
Also known as Amphlett Lissimore
London
Andrew Croft & Co
London
Anthony & Co Solicitors
London
Aschfords Law Solicitors Limited
North Harrow
Ashfords LLP
London
Ashurst LLP
London
Austen-jones Solicitors Limited
Also known as Leung and Co Law
London
Banks Kelly Solicitors Limited
London
Barnes and Partners
London
Bates Solicitors Limited
Also known as Wallis Prance, Bates Solicitors (trading Style for Bates Solicitors Limited), Crellins Carter (practising Style for Bates Solicitors Limited), Crellins Carter
London
Bates Wells & Braithwaite London LLP
Also known as Bates Wells, Bwb, Bates Wells Braithwaite
London
Behbahani & Co Solicitors
London
Showing 15 of 156 firms. See all firms in London
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for a newly qualified civil litigation solicitor in London?
A newly qualified civil litigation solicitor in London earns between £49,500 and £74,500 at a mid-size regional firm, with a typical mid-point of £62,000. City or national firms may pay significantly more.
What does a civil litigation solicitor earn at 4–5 PQE in London?
At 4 to 5 years post-qualification experience, a civil litigation solicitor in London earns between £65,500 and £100,000 at a regional firm, with a mid-point of £82,500.
How does firm size affect civil litigation 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 £56,500, while a City or national firm may pay £70,500 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 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.