Chartered legal executives
Solicitors As of June 2023, there were 161,623 practising solicitors.
Barristers
In 2022, there were 17,538 practising barristers. Of those, 13,926 were self-employed.
As of December 2022, there were around 18,000 trainees and practising chartered legal executives. CILEX reports that 73% of its members attended non- selective state-run or state- funded schools.
Just over 60% of solicitors attended a state school with 20% attending selective state schools.
In 2022, 33.5% of barristers attended an independent (private) school in the UK, compared to just 7% of the wider British population.
People from ethnic minority backgrounds make up 16.3% of all practising barristers (ie, 2,641).
People from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds make up 18% of all solicitors, and 17% at partner level.
People from ethnic minority backgrounds make up around 16% of all CILEX members.
Mostly self-employed, so receive irregular (but often substantial) fees.
Mostly employed in private law firms or in-house, so receive a regular monthly salary.
Mostly employed in private law firms or in-house, so receive a regular monthly salary.
Work mainly with solicitors and other barristers.
Work mainly with individuals, companies and 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.
Chambers and court-based. Engage more in one-off advocacy (ie, court cases).
Office-based, although have some of the same rights of audience as solicitors. Engage more in ongoing advisory and one-to-one client work.
Some solicitors 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 around £22,000. Trainees at regional firms earn around £27,000 while City firms pay from £35,000 to as much as £65,000 for second- year trainees.
Aspire to become KC – a top barrister, normally instructed in serious and complex 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.
As of 1 January 2023, all pupil barristers must be
paid a minimum of £18,884 (outside London) or £20,703 (in London). Many earn much more – upwards of £50,000 in some cases.
5
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online