How much does an advocate earn in Scotland?

Jan 29, 2023

Written By Zara Arif

In Scottish law, advocates take on a similar role to barristers in England and Wales. They are specialists in advocacy and are involved in litigation. They advise clients who are presenting cases in court. Advocates often work on cases in the High Court of Justiciary, Civil Courts such as the Court of Session and in complex cases in the Sheriff Court.

What does a Scottish advocate do?

Advocates take on their cases from solicitors and their responsibilities include but are not limited to: specialising in certain areas of law, interviewing clients, negotiating settlements, providing expert legal advice and sustaining client relationships.

How do you become an advocate in Scotland?

Becoming an advocate in Scotland can be a complex process.

Unlike in England and Wales, to become an advocate in Scotland, you must have completed a Scottish Law degree and a subsequent diploma in Professional Legal Practice, also known as the DPLP.

Following this, you are expected to matriculate or join the Scottish Faculty of Advocates. The initial fee to join is £330 but there may also be other costs involved. Following this there are a series of exams and modules which must be passed. The Faculty also requires a minimum 21 month traineeship with a law firm to be undertaken.

Once this is completed and all the necessary exams have been taken, the ‘devilling’ period begins. This involves 10 months of full-time, unpaid work, shadowing a ‘devil-master’.

After this, a final exam remains and you are officially admitted as an advocate.

How much does an advocate earn in Scotland?

One of the key concerns for those who might want to pursue advocacy in Scotland is the earning potential. As mentioned above, the process is lengthy and can be costly, especially considering that it is obligatory to undertake 10 months of underpaid work when you are ‘devilling’.

Nevertheless, as with English and Welsh barristers, as you gain experience and superiority, Scottish advocates can earn a healthy wage.

Most advocates are self-employed so salaries may vary. Alternatively, some advocates choose to work as an advisor on behalf of a corporate company or the government.

On average, Scottish advocates can hope to earn anything between £25,000 and £35,000 a year. This number can increase to £50,000 annually, and often more, as an advocate becomes more experienced. A career in Scotland’s biggest cities also often results in a high salary.

After 13 years of active work, an advocate can qualify as a Queen’s Counsel and earn an even higher yearly wage. Therefore, a career as an advocate in Scotland is a demanding yet rewarding one.

Becoming a Lawyer in Scotland