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Solicitors

Solicitor

The most common type of lawyer in England & Wales, solicitors advise clients, draft documents, and manage legal transactions across every area of law.

Overview

Solicitors are the backbone of the English legal profession. There are around 200,000 practising solicitors in England & Wales, working in private practice, in-house for companies, in government, and in the not-for-profit sector. They are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).

Unlike barristers, solicitors typically have a direct, ongoing relationship with clients. They handle everything from drafting contracts and advising on mergers to representing clients in the lower courts. Since 2015, solicitors can also obtain higher rights of audience to appear in the Crown Court, High Court, and above.

The profession underwent a major change in 2021 when the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) replaced the Legal Practice Course (LPC) as the main route to qualification. The SQE is designed to be more accessible and consistent, though it remains a demanding assessment.

Solicitors work incredibly varied hours depending on their practice area and employer. A solicitor at a Magic Circle firm may regularly work 12-hour days, while a high-street solicitor might keep more regular hours but handle a wider variety of cases.

Day-to-Day Work

Meeting with clients to understand their legal needs and provide advice
Drafting and reviewing contracts, wills, leases, and other legal documents
Conducting legal research and due diligence
Negotiating settlements and deals on behalf of clients
Managing case files and ensuring deadlines are met
Corresponding with other solicitors, barristers, and third parties
Attending court hearings (particularly in lower courts)
Supervising trainees and paralegals

How to Qualify

Since September 2021, the primary route is the SQE pathway: complete a degree (in any subject) or equivalent, pass SQE1 (multiple choice, testing legal knowledge) and SQE2 (practical legal skills), and complete two years of qualifying work experience (QWE). QWE can be gained at up to four different organisations and no longer needs to be a formal 'training contract', though most firms still offer structured training contracts. Non-graduates can qualify via the CILEx route or an apprenticeship.

Undergraduate degree

3 years

Any subject — law or non-law. A non-law graduate will need additional preparation for SQE1.

SQE preparation

6–12 months

Most candidates take an SQE preparation course, though self-study is permitted.

SQE1 assessment

2 days

Two x 180 multiple-choice questions testing Functioning Legal Knowledge across all practice areas.

SQE2 assessment

5 half-days

Practical assessments: client interviewing, advocacy, case analysis, legal research, legal writing, and legal drafting.

Qualifying Work Experience

2 years

Full-time work experience in legal services. Can be a training contract or up to 4 placements.

Admission

1–2 months

Apply to the SRA for admission to the Roll of Solicitors.

Typical Costs

Undergraduate degree£27,750–£37,000 (3 years tuition)

SQE preparation course£3,000–£12,000

SQE1 assessment fee£1,798

SQE2 assessment fee£2,766

SRA admission fee£100

Annual practising certificate£306–£434

Salary Ranges

Trainee (regional)£25,000–£35,000

Trainee (London/City)£40,000–£56,000

Newly Qualified (regional)£35,000–£50,000

Newly Qualified (City)£80,000–£150,000+

5–10 years PQE£50,000–£120,000

Partner (regional)£80,000–£200,000

Partner (Magic Circle)£500,000–£2,000,000+

Key Skills

Attention to detail

Clear written and oral communication

Commercial awareness

Time management and organisation

Negotiation and persuasion

Analytical and problem-solving skills

Client relationship management

Teamwork and collaboration

Pros & Cons

Advantages

Huge variety of practice areas and career paths
Strong earning potential, especially in the City
Intellectually stimulating and varied work
Direct client relationships
Growing international opportunities
Job security — solicitors are always in demand

Disadvantages

Long hours, especially at large City firms
High cost of qualification
Intense competition for training contracts at top firms
Can be high-pressure and stressful
Some routine/administrative work in early career
Significant ongoing CPD and regulatory requirements

Related Careers

Trainee Solicitor

The supervised training period for aspiring solicitors, combining practical legal work with structured learning across multiple practice areas.

In-House Counsel

Qualified solicitors or barristers employed directly by a company, charity, or public body to provide legal advice from within the organisation.

Paralegal

Legal professionals who assist solicitors and barristers with casework, research, and administration — a vital role and common stepping stone into the profession.

Chartered Legal Executive (CILEx)

A fully qualified lawyer who specialises in a particular area of law, qualifying through the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives — an alternative to the solicitor or barrister route.