Alternative Routes into Law
How much do solicitor advocates earn?
Helena Kudiabor
Last updated 14th July 2022
Contrary to popular belief, there are so many different types of careers in the legal profession to choose from. Each plays a valued role in ensuring that the law is applied fairly, and are well compensated as a result. In this article, you will learn what a solicitor advocate is, what they do, and how much they earn each year.
What is a solicitor advocate?
A solicitor advocate is someone who is fully qualified as a solicitor, but also has similar rights to a barrister. By completing an additional qualification (Higher Rights of Audience), they have gained the same rights of audience to a barrister. As a result, they can represent their clients in many different courts: The High Court, The Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and The Crown Court.
This gives them the ability to represent their clients throughout their entire case, which makes the legal process smoother for both parties.
How much do solicitor advocates earn?
When considering how much you can earn as a solicitor advocate, it’s important to remember that salaries can vary hugely depending on your specialism and where in the country you’re located.
However, the starting salary often ranges between £20,000-£45,000 annually. As you improve and win more cases, you could begin to earn a yearly salary of £100,000. There have even been reports of solicitor advocates earning a staggering salary of £1,000,000 a year, as well as the numerous benefits they receive from their firm.
How can I increase my salary as a solicitor advocate?
Living in a higher cost of living area can increase your chances of a higher salary. For instance, salaries in London are often much higher than those in other areas, to offset the high cost of living in the capital.
Another way to increase your salary is by specialising in a more lucrative area. For instance, working in corporate or commercial sectors can lead to a higher salary, as you’ll often be providing legal advice for large corporations. Working in these sectors often means a career in a large, prestigious law firm, which will provide you with high salaries as well as numerous benefits.
Finally, one simple way to increase salary is simply by working hard and going above and beyond for your clients. It’s likely that your employer will recognise your dedication to the profession, and reward you with a promotion or a bonus.
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