Solicitor hourly rates in the UK
UK solicitor hourly rates in 2026 typically range from £150/hr (trainee in a regional firm) to £700/hr (City of London partner). The Solicitors Regulation Authority's Guideline Hourly Rates (GHR), updated in 2024, are used by the courts as a benchmark for cost recovery. Specialist commercial and corporate work commands the highest rates; conveyancing and criminal defence sit at the lower end.
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Cost table
| Item | Typical range (GBP) |
|---|---|
Conveyancing | £150–£280/hr |
Family / Divorce | £175–£350/hr |
Employment | £200–£400/hr |
Personal Injury usually no-win no-fee | — |
Commercial Property | £250–£500/hr |
Corporate / M&A | £300–£700/hr |
Criminal Defence | £150–£300/hr |
Wills & Probate | £175–£300/hr |
Immigration | £175–£350/hr |
Regional rates by SRA grade (2024 GHR uplift)
| Item | Typical range (GBP) |
|---|---|
London (City) — Grade A partner | £450–£700/hr |
London (City) — Grade D trainee | £150–£250/hr |
London (other) — Grade A | £300–£500/hr |
South East — Grade A | £220–£380/hr |
Midlands / North — Grade A | £175–£300/hr |
Wales / Scotland — Grade A | £150–£280/hr |
Factors affecting cost
- ·Specialism — corporate, tax and commercial property command the highest rates.
- ·Solicitor grade: A (partner, 8+ PQE), B (4–8 PQE), C (under 4 PQE), D (paralegal/trainee).
- ·Firm tier — Magic Circle and Silver Circle rates start where regional partners finish.
- ·London City vs Outer London vs regional postcode (SRA GHR bands).
- ·Whether time is billed in 6-minute units (standard) or 12-minute units.
- ·Conflict-checking, file-opening and onboarding fees.
How to reduce costs
- ·Request a fixed-fee or capped quote wherever the work is well-defined.
- ·Ask for the most junior fee-earner competent to handle the matter.
- ·Bundle questions into a single email rather than calling repeatedly — every call is billed.
- ·Insist on monthly billing rather than one shock invoice at completion.
- ·Compare three quotes; the spread between firms for the same matter is routinely 40%.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average solicitor hourly rate in the UK?▾
For Grade C (junior solicitor) regional work, around £200–£260/hr in 2026. A London Grade A partner averages £450–£600/hr.
What are SRA Guideline Hourly Rates?▾
The court benchmark used when assessing legal costs awarded between parties. The 2024 GHR uplift increased rates for the first time since 2010 — London 1 Grade A is £546/hr, Band 4 (regional) Grade A is £282/hr.
Are solicitors cheaper than barristers?▾
Solicitors handle most work hourly; barristers are usually instructed on a brief fee for advocacy. A junior barrister day rate at hearing is £750–£2,000 — often cheaper than a senior solicitor for advocacy alone.
Do solicitors charge for the first consultation?▾
Many family and employment firms offer a free 20–30 minute initial call. Commercial firms typically bill from the first six minutes.
Can I negotiate a solicitor's hourly rate?▾
Yes — particularly for substantial work. Asking for a 10–15% discount on the published rate is common, as is requesting capped fees for fixed-scope work.