This document provides salary guidelines for legal professionals in the UK. It includes salary ranges for solicitors and lawyers in private practice in London and other parts of England, as well as for in-house legal roles in various industries in London. The salaries provided are approximate ranges that exclude bonuses and vary based on factors like level of experience, practice area, firm size and industry.

1. UK
HUDSON
SALARY
GUIDES
2016
Legal

2. 1
HUDSON SALARY GUIDES 2016
ABOUT THIS PUBLICATION
This Salary Guide is a compilation of salary and market information
provided by Hudson consultants, clients, candidates and other sources
across UK. Information was gathered by drawing on the extensive
knowledge of our recruitment consultants across Hudson’s specialist
practice groups.
Hudson is a global talent solutions company with expertise in leadership
and specialised recruitment, recruitment process outsourcing and talent
management across key industry sectors. Our specialist recruiters are
industry professionals who understand their market and the roles they
recruit for — and how much those roles are worth.
Salary ranges are approximate guides only. They relate to base salaries
and exclude superannuation/bonuses/incentive schemes/stock options.
Legal England
Private Practice London. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Private Practice English Regions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Small and Medium English Regions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
In-house London. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
In-house English Regions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Legal Scotland
Private Practice Edinburgh & Glasgow. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
In-house Edinburgh & Glasgow. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
TABLE OF CONTENTS

3. 2UK.HUDSON.COM
HUDSON SALARY GUIDES 2016
LEGAL
ENGLAND
LONDON
PRIVATE PRACTICE LONDON PERMANENT (£ PER YEAR)
MIN £ MAX £
MAGIC CIRCLE
Newly Qualified Solicitor / Lawyer 67,500 78,500
Solicitor / Lawyer 1 year's PQE 77,500 92,000
Solicitor / Lawyer 2 year’s PQE 87,500 104,500
Solicitor / Lawyer 3 year’s PQE 100,000 115,000
Solicitor / Lawyer 4 year’s PQE 112,000 127,500
Solicitor / Lawyer 5 year’s PQE 124,000 140,000
Solicitor / Lawyer 6+ year’s PQE 136,000 152,500
SILVER CIRCLE AND LONDON TOP TIER
Newly Qualified Solicitor / Lawyer 59,000 70,000
Solicitor / Lawyer 1 year's PQE 63,000 74,000
Solicitor / Lawyer 2 year’s PQE 68,000 87,000
Solicitor / Lawyer 3 year’s PQE 73,000 96,000
Solicitor / Lawyer 4 year’s PQE 78,000 105,000
Solicitor / Lawyer 5 year’s PQE 83,000 114,000
Solicitor / Lawyer 6+ year’s PQE 88,000 123,000
WEST END AND BOUTIQUE
Newly Qualified Solicitor / Lawyer 42,000 59,000
Solicitor / Lawyer 1 year's PQE 45,000 63,000
Solicitor / Lawyer 2 year’s PQE 51,000 69,000
Solicitor / Lawyer 3 year’s PQE 53,000 71,000
Solicitor / Lawyer 4 year’s PQE 60,000 75,000
Solicitor / Lawyer 5 year’s PQE 64,000 79,000
Solicitor / Lawyer 6+ year’s PQE 69,000 83,000

4. 3UK.HUDSON.COM
HUDSON SALARY GUIDES 2016
LEGAL
ENGLAND
LONDON
PRIVATE PRACTICE LONDON PERMANENT (£ PER YEAR)
MIN £ MAX £
US - MID WEST AND MID ATLANTIC
Newly Qualified Solicitor / Lawyer 64,000 82,000
Solicitor / Lawyer 1 year's PQE 68,000 90,000
Solicitor / Lawyer 2 year’s PQE 75,000 96,000
Solicitor / Lawyer 3 year’s PQE 80,000 105,000
Solicitor / Lawyer 4 year’s PQE 87,000 116,000
Solicitor / Lawyer 5 year’s PQE 100,000 125,000
Solicitor / Lawyer 6+ year’s PQE 115,000 135,000
US - NEW YORK AND “WHITE SHOE”
Newly Qualified Solicitor / Lawyer 78,000 101,500
Solicitor / Lawyer 1 year's PQE 80,500 104,000
Solicitor / Lawyer 2 year’s PQE 86,500 110,000
Solicitor / Lawyer 3 year’s PQE 96,000 120,000
Solicitor / Lawyer 4 year’s PQE 106,000 130,000
Solicitor / Lawyer 5 year’s PQE 116,000 145,000
Solicitor / Lawyer 6+ year’s PQE 121,000 165,000

5. 4UK.HUDSON.COM
HUDSON SALARY GUIDES 2016
LEGAL
ENGLAND
ENGLISH REGIONS
PRIVATE PRACTICE ENGLISH REGIONS PERMANENT (£ PER YEAR)
National and Regional Commercial Law Firms MIN £ MAX £
MIDLANDS
Newly Qualified Lawyer 34,000 40,000
Lawyer - 1 year's PQE 35,000 42,000
Lawyer - 2 year’s PQE 37,000 45,000
Lawyer - 3 year’s PQE 39,000 47,000
Lawyer - 4 year’s PQE 42,000 50,000
Lawyer - 5 year’s PQE 45,000 54,000
Lawyer - 6+ year’s PQE 47,000 56,000+
HOME COUNTIES / THAMES VALLEY
Newly Qualified Lawyer 35,000 43,000
Lawyer - 1 year's PQE 37,000 46,000
Lawyer - 2 year’s PQE 39,000 49,000
Lawyer - 3 year’s PQE 42,000 52,000
Lawyer - 4 year’s PQE 44,000 60,000
Lawyer - 5 year’s PQE 45,000 65,000
Lawyer - 6+ year’s PQE 48,000 70,000+
SOUTH WEST
Newly Qualified Lawyer 32,000 45,000
Lawyer - 1 year's PQE 35,000 48,000
Lawyer - 2 year’s PQE 37,000 52,000
Lawyer - 3 year’s PQE 39,000 60,000
Lawyer - 4 year’s PQE 43,000 65,000
Lawyer -5 year’s PQE 46,000 68,000
Lawyer - 6+ year’s PQE 49,000 70,000+
NORTH / NORTH WEST
Newly Qualified Lawyer 34,000 40,000
Lawyer - 1 year's PQE 35,000 42,000
Lawyer - 2 year’s PQE 36,000 45,000
Lawyer - 3 year’s PQE 38,000 46,000
Lawyer - 4 year’s PQE 42,000 49,000
Lawyer - 5 year’s PQE 44,000 54,000
Lawyer - 6+ year’s PQE 45,000 57,000+

6. 5UK.HUDSON.COM
HUDSON SALARY GUIDES 2016
LEGAL
ENGLAND
ENGLISH REGIONS
SMALL AND MEDIUM FIRMS ENGLISH REGIONS PERMANENT (£ PER YEAR)
MIN £ MAX £
INDIVIDUAL DISCIPLINES
Newly Qualified Lawyer 22,000 30,000
Lawyer - 1 year's PQE 24,000 31,000
Lawyer - 2 year’s PQE 26,000 34,000
Lawyer - 3 year’s PQE 30,000 37,000
Lawyer - 4 year’s PQE 32,000 40,000
Lawyer -5 year’s PQE 34,000 45,000
Lawyer - 6+ year’s PQE 36,000 47,000+
BUSINESS DISCIPLINES
Newly Qualified Lawyer 25,000 32,000
Lawyer - 1 year's PQE 29,000 35,000
Lawyer - 2 year’s PQE 31,000 37,000
Lawyer - 3 year’s PQE 33,000 40,000
Lawyer - 4 year’s PQE 37,000 43,000
Lawyer -5 year’s PQE 40,000 47,000
Lawyer - 6 year’s PQE 42,000 52,000+

7. 6UK.HUDSON.COM
HUDSON SALARY GUIDES 2016
LEGAL
ENGLAND
LONDON
IN-HOUSE LONDON PERMANENT (£ PER YEAR)
Oil and Gas, Power & Utilities and Infrastructure Services MIN £ MAX £
OIL AND GAS
Newly Qualified Lawyer 43,000 55,000
Lawyer - 1 year's PQE 48,000 62,000
Lawyer - 2 year’s PQE 52,000 70,000
Lawyer - 3 year’s PQE 57,000 85,000
Lawyer - 4 year’s PQE 62,000 95,000
Lawyer - 5 year’s PQE 70,000 105,000
Lawyer - 6+ year’s PQE 75,000 115,000
Compliance Counsel / Head of Legal Compliance 45,000 165,000
Head of Legal 110,000 175,000
General Counsel 115,000 225,000
POWER AND UTILITIES
Newly Qualified Lawyer 45,000 60,000
Lawyer - 1 year's PQE 52,000 65,000
Lawyer - 2 year’s PQE 60,000 70,000
Lawyer - 3 year’s PQE 62,000 75,000
Lawyer - 4 year’s PQE 68,000 83,000
Lawyer - 5 year’s PQE 72,000 90,000
Lawyer - 6+ year’s PQE 80,000 95,000
Compliance Counsel / Head of Legal Compliance 50,000 165,000
Head of Legal 115,000 185,000
General Counsel 130,000 210,000

8. 7UK.HUDSON.COM
HUDSON SALARY GUIDES 2016
LEGAL
ENGLAND
LONDON
IN-HOUSE LONDON PERMANENT (£ PER YEAR)
Oil and Gas, Power & Utilities and Infrastructure Services MIN £ MAX £
INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES
Newly Qualified Lawyer 50,000 65,000
Lawyer - 1 year's PQE 57,000 72,000
Lawyer - 2 year’s PQE 62,000 75,000
Lawyer - 3 year’s PQE 65,000 80,000
Lawyer - 4 year’s PQE 70,000 82,000
Lawyer - 5 year’s PQE 75,000 85,000
Lawyer - 6+ year’s PQE 80,000 95,000
Compliance Counsel / Head of Legal Compliance 52,000 165,000
Head of Legal 120,000 185,000
General Counsel 125,000 210,000

9. 8UK.HUDSON.COM
HUDSON SALARY GUIDES 2016
LEGAL
ENGLAND
LONDON
IN-HOUSE LONDON PERMANENT (£ PER YEAR)
Financial services MIN £ MAX £
ASSET MANAGEMENT
Newly Qualified Lawyer 47,000 65,000
Lawyer - 1 year's PQE 52,000 75,000
Lawyer - 2 year’s PQE 57,000 77,000
Lawyer - 3 year’s PQE 66,000 90,000
Lawyer - 4 year’s PQE 70,000 100,000
Lawyer - 5 year’s PQE 76,000 109,000
Lawyer - 6+ year’s PQE 90,000 150,000
Head of Legal 110,000 170,000
Global General Counsel 150,000 350,000
INVESTMENT BANKING
Newly Qualified - Associate 47,000 65,000
Lawyer - 1 year's PQE 52,000 75,000
Lawyer - 2 year’s PQE 57,000 77,000
Lawyer - 3 year’s PQE 66,000 90,000
Lawyer - 4 year’s PQE 70,000 100,000
Lawyer - 5 year’s PQE 77,000 125,000
Lawyer - 6+ year’s PQE 95,000 160,000
Managing Director - 10+ years PQE 150,000 250,000

10. 9UK.HUDSON.COM
HUDSON SALARY GUIDES 2016
LEGAL
ENGLAND
LONDON
IN-HOUSE LONDON PERMANENT (£ PER YEAR)
Financial services MIN £ MAX £
ISDA DOCUMENTATION
Newly Qualified Lawyer 43,500 56,000
Lawyer - 1 year's PQE 47,500 59,000
Lawyer - 2 year’s PQE 51,000 68,000
Lawyer - 3 year’s PQE 61,000 79,000
Lawyer - 4 year’s PQE 72,000 89,000
Lawyer - 5 year’s PQE 85,000 97,000
Lawyer - 6+ year’s PQE 95,000 115,000
RETAIL BANKING AND INSURANCE
Newly Qualified Lawyer 42,000 62,000
Lawyer - 1 year's PQE 47,000 70,000
Lawyer - 2 year’s PQE 57,000 83,000
Lawyer - 3 year’s PQE 64,000 92,000
Lawyer - 4 year’s PQE 69,000 98,000
Lawyer - 5 year’s PQE 75,000 115,000
Lawyer - 6+ year’s PQE 85,000 120,000
Head of Legal 97,000 170,000
Global General Counsel 125,000 200,000

11. 10UK.HUDSON.COM
HUDSON SALARY GUIDES 2016
LEGAL
ENGLAND
LONDON
IN-HOUSE LONDON PERMANENT (£ PER YEAR)
FMCG & Retail MIN £ MAX £
FMCG & RETAIL
Newly Qualified Lawyer 40,000 50,000
Lawyer - 1 year's PQE 45,000 55,000
Lawyer - 2 year’s PQE 50,000 65,000
Lawyer - 3 year’s PQE 60,000 70,000
Lawyer - 4 year’s PQE 65,000 80,000
Lawyer - 5 year’s PQE 70,000 85,000
Lawyer - 6+ year’s PQE 75,000 90,000
Head of Legal 90,000 140,000
General Counsel 110,000 180,000
IN-HOUSE LONDON PERMANENT (£ PER YEAR)
Heavy industry MIN £ MAX £
HEAVY INDUSTRY INCLUDING CONSTRUCTION, ENGINEERING AND TRANSPORT
Newly Qualified Lawyer 38,000 45,000
Lawyer - 1 year's PQE 42,000 52,000
Lawyer - 2 year’s PQE 50,000 65,000
Lawyer - 3 year’s PQE 65,000 70,000
Lawyer - 4 year’s PQE 70,000 75,000
Lawyer - 5 year’s PQE 75,000 90,000
Lawyer - 6+ year’s PQE 85,000 100,000
Head of Legal 120,000 170,000
General Counsel 130,000 200,000

12. 11UK.HUDSON.COM
HUDSON SALARY GUIDES 2016
LEGAL
ENGLAND
LONDON
IN-HOUSE LONDON PERMANENT (£ PER YEAR)
IT &Technology and Media MIN £ MAX £
IT&T AND MEDIA
Newly Qualified Lawyer 45,000 58,000
lawyer - 1 year's PQE 50,000 62,000
Lawyer - 2 year’s PQE 60,000 68,000
Lawyer - 3 year’s PQE 65,000 75,000
Lawyer - 4 year’s PQE 75,000 83,000
Lawyer - 5 year’s PQE 75,000 90,000
Lawyer - 6+ year’s PQE 85,000 100,000
Head of Legal 98,000 150,000
General Counsel 130,000 170,000
IN-HOUSE LONDON PERMANENT (£ PER YEAR)
Life Sciences MIN £ MAX £
LIFE SCIENCES
Newly Qualified Lawyer 52,000 60,000
Lawyer - 1 year's PQE 57,000 68,000
Lawyer - 2 year’s PQE 62,000 75,000
Lawyer - 3 year’s PQE 67,000 80,000
Lawyer - 4 year’s PQE 70,000 85,000
Lawyer - 5 year’s PQE 75,000 95,000
Lawyer - 6+ year’s PQE 85,000 110,000
Compliance Counsel / Head of Legal Compliance 60,000 150,000
Head of Legal / Legal Director 95,000 200,000
Global General Counsel 130,000 250,000

13. 12UK.HUDSON.COM
HUDSON SALARY GUIDES 2016
LEGAL
ENGLAND
LONDON
IN-HOUSE LONDON CONTRACT (£ PER DAY)
Contract MIN £ MAX £
OIL, GAS, POWER AND INFRASTRUCTURE
Newly Qualified Lawyer 200 250
Lawyer - 1 year's PQE 250 300
Lawyer - 2 year’s PQE 300 350
Lawyer - 3 year’s PQE 350 400
Lawyer - 4 year’s PQE 400 500
Lawyer - 5 year’s PQE 500 600
Lawyer - 6+ year’s PQE 600 700
Head of Legal 800 1,000
General Counsel 1,000 1,500
FINANCIAL SERVICES
Newly Qualified Lawyer 250 300
Lawyer - 1 year's PQE 300 350
Lawyer - 2 year’s PQE 350 400
Lawyer - 3 year’s PQE 400 450
Lawyer - 4 year’s PQE 450 500
Lawyer - 5 year’s PQE 500 600
Lawyer - 6+ year’s PQE 600 700
Head of Legal 800 1,000

14. 13UK.HUDSON.COM
HUDSON SALARY GUIDES 2016
LEGAL
ENGLAND
LONDON
IN-HOUSE LONDON CONTRACT (£ PER DAY)
Contract MIN £ MAX £
FMCG AND RETAIL
Newly Qualified Lawyer 200 250
Lawyer - 1 year's PQE 250 300
Lawyer - 2 year’s PQE 275 350
Lawyer - 3 year’s PQE 300 375
Lawyer - 4 year’s PQE 350 400
Lawyer - 5 year’s PQE 400 500
Lawyer - 6+ year’s PQE 500 600
Head of Legal 700 800
General Counsel 800 1,000
HEAVY INDUSTRY
Newly Qualified Lawyer 200 250
Lawyer - 1 year's PQE 250 300
Lawyer - 2 year’s PQE 300 350
Lawyer - 3 year’s PQE 350 400
Lawyer - 4 year’s PQE 400 500
Lawyer - 5 year’s PQE 500 600
Lawyer - 6+ year’s PQE 600 700
Head of Legal 800 1,000
General Counsel 1,000 1,500

15. 14UK.HUDSON.COM
HUDSON SALARY GUIDES 2016
LEGAL
ENGLAND
LONDON
IN-HOUSE LONDON CONTRACT (£ PER DAY)
Contract MIN £ MAX £
IT&T
Newly Qualified Lawyer 200 250
Lawyer - 1 year's PQE 250 300
Lawyer - 2 year’s PQE 275 350
Lawyer - 3 year’s PQE 300 375
Lawyer - 4 year’s PQE 350 400
Lawyer - 5 year’s PQE 400 500
Lawyer - 6+ year’s PQE 500 600
Head of Legal 700 800
General Counsel 800 1,000
MEDIA
Newly Qualified Lawyer 200 250
Lawyer - 1 year's PQE 250 300
Lawyer - 2 year’s PQE 275 350
Lawyer - 3 year’s PQE 300 375
Lawyer - 4 year’s PQE 350 400
Lawyer - 5 year’s PQE 400 500
Lawyer - 6+ year’s PQE 500 600
Head of Legal 700 800
General Counsel 800 1,000

16. 15UK.HUDSON.COM
HUDSON SALARY GUIDES 2016
LEGAL
ENGLAND
LONDON
IN-HOUSE LONDON CONTRACT (£ PER DAY)
Contract MIN £ MAX £
LIFE SCIENCES
Newly Qualified Lawyer 200 250
Lawyer - 1 year's PQE 250 300
Lawyer - 2 year’s PQE 275 350
Lawyer - 3 year’s PQE 300 375
Lawyer - 4 year’s PQE 350 400
Lawyer - 5 year’s PQE 400 500
Lawyer - 6+ year’s PQE 500 600
Head of Legal 700 800
General Counsel 800 1,000

17. 16UK.HUDSON.COM
HUDSON SALARY GUIDES 2016
LEGAL
ENGLAND
ENGLISH REGIONS
IN-HOUSE ENGLISH REGIONS PERMANENT (£ PER YEAR)
MIN £ MAX £
IN-HOUSE
Paralegal 21,000 40,000
Newly Qualified Lawyer 30,000 40,000
Lawyer - 1 year's PQE 30,000 46,000
Lawyer - 2 year’s PQE 35,000 50,000
Lawyer - 3 year’s PQE 45,000 55,000
Lawyer - 4 year’s PQE 45,000 62,000
Lawyer - 5 year’s PQE 50,000 65,000
Lawyer - 6+ year’s PQE 55,000 68,000
Legal Manager 45,000 90,000
Head of Legal 70,000 125,000
Global General Counsel 101,000 320,000+

18. 17UK.HUDSON.COM
HUDSON SALARY GUIDES 2016
LEGAL
SCOTLAND
EDINBURGH & GLASGOW
PRIVATE PRACTICE EDINBURGH & GLASGOW PERMANENT (£ PER YEAR)
MIN £ MAX £
PRIVATE PRACTICE
Newly Qualified Solicitor 29,000 38,000
Solicitor - 1 year's PQE 31,000 40,000
Solictitor - 2 year’s PQE 34,000 43,000
Solicitor - 3 year’s PQE 37,000 48,000
Solicitor - 4 year’s PQE 40,000 52,000
Solicitor - 5 year’s PQE 43,000 59,000
Solicitor - 6+ year’s PQE 50,000 60,000+
IN-HOUSE EDINBURGH & GLASGOW PERMANENT (£ PER YEAR)
MIN £ MAX £
IN-HOUSE
NQ 30,000 37,000
1 year's PQE 32,000 39,000
2 year’s PQE 33,000 40,000
3 year’s PQE 39,000 45,000
4 year’s PQE 40,000 49,000
5 year’s PQE 45,000 55,000
6+ year’s PQE 50,000 60,000
Legal Manager 50,000 60,000
Head of Legal 85,000 100,000+

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