Solicitors
Barristers
Chartered legal executives
As of April 2017, there were 138,280 practising solicitors. The total number of solicitors on the roll was 181,000.
As of July 2015, there were 15,899 practising barristers. Of those, 12,757 were self- employed (not including those in dual practice, registered European lawyers or second six pupils). Women make up around 35% of all practising barristers (ie, 5,660 women compared to 10,239 men).
As of May 2017, there were around 20,000 trainee and practising chartered legal executives.
Women make up around 47% of all practising solicitors. However, many fewer women than men are currently at partner level – an average split in private practice is 67%male partners compared to 33% female.
Women make up around 74% of all CILEx members.
BAME individuals make up 16% of all solicitors.
BAME individuals make up 12% of all practising barristers (ie, 1,891). Mostly self-employed, so receive irregular (but often substantial) fees.
BAME individuals make up around 12% of all CILEx members. Mostly employed in private law firms or in-house, so receive regular monthly salary.
Mostly employed in private law firms, so receive regular monthly salary.
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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. Engage more in ongoing advisory and one-to-one client work. Aspire to become partner – that is, part-ownership of firm and entitlement to a percentage of its profits. While there is no longer a minimum annual trainee salary, the average UK salary for a first-year trainee is around £27,000, while City firms pay considerably more – anywhere from £35,000 upwards.
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. 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 chartered legal executives can expect to earn between £35,000 and £55,000, and can earn much higher.
Aspire to become Queen’s Counsel (QC) – that is, a top barrister, normally instructed in very serious and complex cases. The Bar Standards Board requires that all pupils be paid no less than £12,000 per annum. Many earn much more – upwards of £60,000 in some cases.
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