Fee Structures
Solicitor Hourly Rates 2026: £142 to £579/hr UK Full Table
The Master of the Rolls updated guideline hourly rates in January 2026 (2.28% increase on 2025). These are the benchmark rates used by courts for cost assessments -- not a ceiling on what firms actually charge.
The 2026 Guideline Hourly Rates run from £288/hr for a Grade A (8+ years' experience) solicitor in National 2 (the rest of England and Wales) up to £579/hr for a Grade A solicitor in London 1 (heavy commercial work). They took effect on 1 January 2026, a 2.28% uplift on the 2025 rates, and are set by the Master of the Rolls for summary assessment of costs.
These are the court's guideline figures. In practice, the average hourly rate a private client pays for everyday work (conveyancing, wills, family) runs roughly £150 to £350/hr outside London, with high-street firms typically at £150 to £280/hr and regional firms at £200 to £350/hr, while central London and commercial firms charge far more (see the private-market table below).
Guideline Hourly Rates (GHRs) are set by the Master of the Rolls and reviewed annually. Courts use them as a starting point when assessing costs between parties in litigation. They are a benchmark, not a cap on what firms can charge -- many firms (especially in London) charge significantly more. Private client work (conveyancing, wills) often exceeds these rates.
2026 Guideline Hourly Rates: All Regions and Grades
| Region | Grade A | Grade B | Grade C | Grade D |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London 1 (Very heavy commercial work, central London) | £579/hr | £393/hr | £305/hr | £210/hr |
| London 2 (Inner London) | £422/hr | £327/hr | £276/hr | £157/hr |
| London 3 (Outer London) | £319/hr | £262/hr | £209/hr | £146/hr |
| National 1 (South East, excl. London) | £295/hr | £247/hr | £201/hr | £142/hr |
| National 2 (Rest of England and Wales) | £288/hr | £247/hr | £200/hr | £142/hr |
What Each Grade Means
Solicitor or legal executive with 8+ years post-qualification experience, including time as a senior solicitor. Partners and senior associates.
Solicitor or legal executive with 4+ years post-qualification experience. Mid-level associates.
Newly qualified solicitor or legal executive with under 4 years post-qualification experience. Junior associates.
Trainee solicitor, paralegal, or other fee earner. Not yet qualified. Work is supervised by a qualified solicitor.
Private Rates vs Guideline Rates
The guideline rates are a starting point for court cost assessments, not a market price list. In practice, many firms charge significantly more:
| Firm Type | Typical Partner Rate | Typical Associate Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Magic Circle / Top US firms (London) | £900-£1,500+/hr | £500-£900/hr |
| Large City of London firms | £500-£900/hr | £300-£500/hr |
| Mid-tier London firms | £350-£550/hr | £250-£350/hr |
| Regional law firms | £200-£350/hr | £150-£250/hr |
| High street firms | £150-£280/hr | £120-£180/hr |
How to Estimate Your Total Cost
Worked Example: 10-hour piece of work, Grade B, National 1 region
Solicitor Hourly Rates by City
The guideline hourly rate that applies depends on the court band your city falls in. Pick your city for the local Grade A to Grade D benchmark, how the band is decided, and a worked example. Scotland and Northern Ireland use their own fee scales, shown against the comparable English National 2 benchmark.