Solicitor
Also advertised as: Associate Solicitor, Corporate Solicitor, Family Solicitor, Newly Qualified Solicitor, Solicitor, Trainee Solicitor
Advises clients and represents them in legal matters such as property, family or business disputes.
What the job involves
Solicitors advise individuals and businesses on legal matters, draft documents and negotiate on their clients' behalf. You may specialise in an area such as conveyancing, family law or corporate work after qualifying. Qualification now runs through the Solicitors Qualifying Examination alongside qualifying work experience, replacing the traditional training contract route for most entrants.
Typical responsibilities
- Advise clients on legal matters
- Draft contracts and legal correspondence
- Negotiate settlements on clients' behalf
- Represent clients in court or at tribunals
- Manage a caseload to deadlines
Common employers
- Law firms
- In-house legal teams
- Local authorities
- Charities
Pay, hours and working environment
Typical pay
£28,000 – £45,000 a year
With experience
£50,000 – £90,000 a year
Typical hours
37.5 hours, often longer in commercial firms
Working environment
Office based, with court appearances for some specialisms
Remote working
hybrid
Demand for this work
steady
Pay ranges are indicative guidance drawn from advertised UK vacancies and published careers information. They are not an offer, and actual pay varies by employer, location and experience.
Skills and qualifications
Core skills
- Legal research
- Drafting
- Negotiation
- Client management
- Attention to detail
Transferable skills you may already have
- Analytical writing
- Client relationship management
- Negotiation
Requirements employers ask for
- Legal research
- Drafting
- Negotiation
- Client management
- Attention to detail
- Qualifying law degree or conversion course
- Solicitors Qualifying Examination
- Qualifying work experience
- SRA admission
- SRA admission
- Practising certificate
Useful but not essential
- Analytical writing
- Client relationship management
- Negotiation
- Legal Practice Course
- Specialist accreditation in a practice area
Helpful qualifications
- Legal Practice Course
- Specialist accreditation in a practice area
Licences and checks
- SRA admission
- Practising certificate
Ways into this career
A degree is only one route. Where an apprenticeship, work-experience or qualification route exists, it is listed here alongside the academic option.
Apprenticeships and work-based routes
- Solicitor Apprenticeship (Level 7)
Degree and college routes
- Related subject: Law
- Related subject: Any degree plus a law conversion course
Where this career can lead
next
Senior Associate
next
Partner
next
In-house Legal Counsel
The good parts and the hard parts
What people enjoy
- Well-defined progression to partnership or in-house counsel
- Strong long-term earning potential
- Wide range of specialisms to choose from
What people find hard
- Qualification is lengthy and costly
- Commercial practice areas can demand very long hours
Common questions
- Do you need a degree to become a solicitor?
- No. As well as degree routes, this career can be entered through an apprenticeship or by building experience and qualifications on the job. required
- How much does a solicitor earn in the UK?
- Typical advertised pay runs from £28,000 to £45,000 a year, rising towards £90,000 with experience. Figures are indicative guidance rather than an offer.
- What skills transfer into this career?
- Skills that transfer well include Analytical writing, Client relationship management, Negotiation.
Related careers
Compliance Officer
Checks that an organisation follows the rules that apply to it, and fixes gaps.
Paralegal
Does legal research, drafting and case preparation to support solicitors.
Barrister's Clerk
Manages barristers' diaries, fees and case allocation within a set of chambers.
Legal Secretary
Provides administrative and secretarial support to solicitors, including document preparation.
Licensed Conveyancing Assistant
Supports licensed conveyancers and solicitors with the legal work of buying and selling property.
Court Usher
Supports the smooth running of court hearings, guiding witnesses, jurors and the public.
Where this information comes from
- National Careers Service
- Institute for Apprenticeships
Last reviewed 14 September 2026.
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