The average salary for a solicitor is about £34,000 pa (before tax). That’s for all solicitors, including those who do not do legally aided work. Those that do almost always get paid less than those who do other privately paying work. Barrister’s pay varies massively as they are self employed and it is very difficult to find an Those doing legal aid work get paid much less than those doing privately ‘average’. funded (eg commercial work). Advocacy (appearing in Court) that is paid for by legal aid now pays the same whether the person doing the advocacy is a solicitor or a barrister. The Government’s own careers website” advising students on careers says this “official about Barrister’s pay and conditions: Salaries vary depending on a of factors, including location, area of practice, experience, reputation and type of employer (self-employed or employed). Earnings for barristers starting out are sometimes extremely low and may be a considerable delay between doing the work and receiving remuneration. Around 80% of barristers are self-employed and have to contribute towards the running/overheads of chambers from their income, as well as covering their own tax and pension arrangements. While courts tend to sit at regular hours during the day, barristers frequently have to work long, unsocial hours involving evenings and weekends, particularly early on in their career. Most opportunities are in London and other major cities and towns. This is a demanding and intellectually challenging role, but is a very supportive professional community. Barristers are expected to conform to high standards of dress, ethics and professional conduct. Totaljobs.com puts the average Barrister at about £32,000 per annum. Those doing commercial or privately paid work can earn much more.
The average salary for a solicitor is about £34,000 pa (before tax). That’s for all solicitors, including those who do not do legally aided work. Those that do almost always get paid less than those who do other privately paying work. Barrister’s pay varies massively as they are self employed and it is very difficult to find an ‘average’. Those doing legal aid work get paid much less than those doing privately funded (eg commercial work). Advocacy (appearing in Court) that is paid for by legal aid now pays the same whether the person doing the advocacy is a solicitor or a barrister. The Government’s own “official careers website” advising students on careers says this about Barrister’s pay and conditions: Salaries vary depending on a of factors, including location, area of practice, experience, reputation and type of employer (self-employed or employed). Earnings for barristers starting out are sometimes extremely low and may be a considerable delay between doing the work and receiving remuneration. Around 80% of barristers are self-employed and have to contribute towards the running/overheads of chambers from their income, as well as covering their own tax and pension arrangements. While courts tend to sit at regular hours during the day, barristers frequently have to work long, unsocial hours involving evenings and weekends, particularly early on in their career. Most opportunities are in London and other major cities and towns. This is a demanding and intellectually challenging role, but is a very supportive professional community. Barristers are expected to conform to high standards of dress, ethics and professional conduct. Totaljobs.com puts the average Barrister at about £32,000 per annum. Those doing commercial or privately paid work can earn much more.
Briefing-MOJ-vers-3.docx