Chartered legal executives As of March 2022, there were around 20,000 trainee and practising chartered legal executives.
Solicitors As of June 2022 , there were 156,518 practising solicitors.
Barristers
In 2021, there were 17,263 practising barristers. Of those, 13,622 were self-employed.
Women make up 52% of all solicitors and partners in law firms. But there are many more men than women at partner level, with women making up 35% of partners.
Women make up around 38% of all practising barristers (ie, 6,624 women compared to 10,437 men).
Women make up around 76% of all CILEX members.
People from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds make up 17% of all solicitors, as well as 16% at partner level.
People from ethnic minority backgrounds make up 14% of all practising barristers (ie, 2,506).
People from ethnic minority backgrounds make up around 16% of all CILEX members.
Mostly employed in private law firms, so receive regular monthly salary.
Mostly self-employed, so receive irregular (but often substantial) fees. The early years can be hard.
Mostly employed in private law firms or in-house, so receive regular monthly salary.
Work mainly with individuals, companies and barristers.
Work mainly with solicitors and other barristers.
Work mainly with solicitors and individuals.
Office-based, although have some rights of audience (ie, can appear in court like barristers). Engage more in ongoing advisory and one- to-one client work. Many firms have introduced ‘hybrid’ working policies. Aspire to become partner – that is, part-ownership of firm and entitlement to a percentage of its profits. Trainee salaries vary widely. A small firm could pay first-year trainees £22,000. Trainees at regional firms earn around £27,000 while City firms pay from £35,000 to much, much more.
Chambers and court-based. Engage more in one-off advocacy (ie, court cases).
Office-based, although they have some of the same rights of audience as solicitors. Engage more in ongoing advisory and one-to-one client work.
Aspire to become QC – a top barrister, normally instructed in very serious and complex cases. As of 1 January 2022, all pupil barristers must be paid a minimum of £17,152 (outside London) or £19,144 (in London). Many earn much more – upwards of £50,000 in some cases.
Should they choose to do so, legal executives can go on to become coroners, judges or partners. Starting salaries are usually between £15,000 and £28,000 per year while qualifying, while qualified chartered legal executives can expect to earn between £35,000 and £55,000, and can earn much higher.
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