Become a Consultant Solicitor

Understanding the Role and Benefits of Consultant Solicitors in the UK Legal Landscape
In the realm of legal services, the role of a consultant solicitor has emerged as an
increasingly popular and flexible career option. Offering a blend of autonomy, flexibility, and
professional fulfillment, consultant solicitors play a vital role within law firms across the UK.
Below, we delve into the meaning, opportunities, salary prospects, and pathways to
becoming a consultant solicitor.

What is a Consultant Solicitor?

A consultant solicitor is a legal professional who operates independently within a law firm or
as part of a consultancy. Unlike traditional solicitors who are typically employed on a full-time
basis, consultant solicitors enjoy a greater degree of autonomy and flexibility in managing
their workload and client base. They may work remotely or from a designated office space,
depending on the arrangement with the firm.

Consultant Solicitor Roles and Responsibilities

Consultant solicitors handle a diverse range of legal matters, often specializing in specific
practice areas such as commercial law, family law, employment law, or property law. Their
responsibilities may include providing legal advice, drafting legal documents, representing
clients in court proceedings, and negotiating settlements. They collaborate closely with other
legal professionals within the firm while maintaining their independence in managing client
relationships and caseloads.

Consultant Solicitor Salary and Compensation

The salary of a consultant solicitor can vary significantly depending on factors such as
experience, specialization, geographic location, and the structure of the consultancy
arrangement. While some consultant solicitors may earn a fixed fee or retainer, others
operate on a fee-sharing basis, where they receive a percentage of the fees generated from
their client work. According to industry sources, experienced consultant solicitors in the UK
can earn competitive salaries, often comparable to those of senior solicitors or partners
within traditional law firms.

Consultant Solicitor Jobs and Opportunities

The demand for consultant solicitors continues to grow as law firms recognize the benefits of
integrating flexible and cost-effective legal solutions into their business models. Many firms
actively recruit consultant solicitors to expand their service offerings, reach new markets,

and manage fluctuations in workload. Consultant solicitors, in turn, enjoy the opportunity to
work with diverse clients, build their reputation, and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Consultant Solicitor Firms and Regulatory Framework

In the UK, consultant solicitors are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA),
ensuring that they adhere to professional standards and ethical guidelines. While some
consultant solicitors operate independently, others affiliate with consultant solicitor firms or
legal networks, benefiting from shared resources, marketing support, and professional
development opportunities. These firms provide a platform for consultant solicitors to thrive
while offering clients access to a broader range of legal expertise and services.

How to Become a Consultant Solicitor

Becoming a consultant solicitor typically involves several steps:
1. Qualification: There are many different routes to qualify as a solicitor. You need to obtain
a law degree (LLB) or equivalent qualification recognized by the SRA. Complete the
Solicitor’s Qualifying Examination (SQE) Legal Practice Course (LPC) or a legal
apprenticeship and secure a placement training contract with a law firm to qualify as a
solicitor.

2. Experience: Gain practical experience as a solicitor, developing expertise in your chosen
practice area and building a network of professional contacts.

3. Transition: Explore opportunities to transition to a consultant solicitor role within your
current firm or seek positions with consultant solicitor firms or legal networks.

4. Regulation: Ensure compliance with SRA regulations, including maintaining professional
indemnity insurance and adhering to ethical standards in client representation and fee
arrangements.

In summary, the role of a consultant solicitor offers a compelling alternative for legal professionals seeking greater autonomy, flexibility, and earning potential. With the demand for flexible legal services on the rise, consultant solicitors play a crucial role in meeting the diverse needs of clients and law firms alike. By understanding the opportunities, regulatory
framework, and pathways to becoming a consultant solicitor, legal professionals can embark on a rewarding and fulfilling career journey in the dynamic landscape of UK legal services.

• As a consultant solicitor with Rucklidge Law, you can earn as much as you like. You can work 20 to 30 hours a week for double or triple your income or work less to equalise your income. 
• Your income is uncapped, not restricted by salary market rates as it is for employed lawyers. .

We pay you:

• 75% of fees paid from work found and completed by you.
• 60 % of fees paid from work found by the firm or another consultant and completed by you.

15% of fees paid from work found by you and completed by another consultant.

Based on an average share of 70%. If you complete work you have brought to the firm this would be 75%.

• You will not have any fee targets, so you only need to take on the work you want to. 

• This means that you can control your caseload and your workload. You are in control, so you can make the job less stressful, more rewarding and more fulfilling.

• With a fee share structure you can afford to take on fewer cases and still make the same salary as you’re on now, and a lot more if you wanted to.

• As an employed lawyer you’ll likely have a fee target which is usually calculated on your salary, so the two are inextricably linked. This means that the more you are paid the more your fee target increases.  As a consultant lawyer with a fee share structure you have the freedom to take on the type of work you want, work the hours you want and earn as little or as much as you want – you’re in control.

• With a fee share structure you can afford to take on fewer cases and still make the same salary as you’re on now, and a lot more if you wanted to, because you keep 60-75% of all the fees you generate.
• As an employed lawyer fee targets are usually 3 to 4 times your salary. On a salary of £60,0000 this will be a fee target of about £180,000 to £240,000.
• On an average lawyer’s salary of £60k you will take home a gross income of £5k a month.
• As a consultant at Rucklidge’s, with a fee share structure and hourly charge out rate of £280 you only need to complete the following billable hours to replace or increase your income.
• To earn £60k per year or £5k a month gross you will need to do 7 billable hours a week; &
• To earn £72k per year or £6k a month gross you will need to do less than 8 billable hours a week; &
• To earn £80k per year or £6,600 gross a month you will need to do less than 9 billable hours a week.

These figures are based on an average of 70% fee share – if you complete work you have found you take 75% and your income will be even more.

• We invest heavily in digital marketing, including SEO, to generate enquiries to pass to the consultants, we are currently generating more than we can facilitate.
• You will have contacts within your current role who could refer work to you, other lawyers that do not practice your area of law, financial advisors, accountants, estate agents and mortgage brokers, etc. These are great potential referral partners.

• Our consultants have replaced their current income within 3 to 6 months.

• Our consultants have doubled or tripled their income within 12 to 18 months.

• Our consultants take on average over £120k per year.

• You do not need as many cases or need to bill as many hours as a consultant on a fee share because you keep 70-75% of all the fees you generate.

• On an average salary of £60k per year you will take home a gross income of £5k.

• Charging out at £280 per hour to take an income of:

• £60k per year or £5k a month gross you will need to do 7 billable hours a week; &

• £72k per year or £6k a month gross you will need to do less than 8 billable hours a week; &

• £80k per year or £6,600 gross a month you will need to do less than 9 billable hours a week.

These figures are based on an average of 70% fee share – if you complete work you have found you take 75% and your income will be more. 

• With us, you only need a laptop, printer and phone to get started.

• With us, as the firm meets most of the outgoings needed to do your job, our consultants have minimal annual expenses in the region of £3k to £5k per year. so your expenses are likely to be only £3k – £5k per year.

• We buddy you with another consultant and they can cover any urgent matters whilst you are on holiday. 
• This allows everyone to enjoy a proper holiday but leaves the stuff that can wait for you, for you to time and take your fees.
• You will get paid for any billable work carried out on your buddy’s cases.
• You are not required to organise your holidays round your buddy. The buddy system is introduced to support you.

• You will work independently with your own caseload and in your own time.
• You will be part of a team and can swap ideas with the rest of the team. 
• There is no competition or judgment on queries raised and a problem shared is most certainly a problem halved. 
• There is an open-door policy to queries or problems raised, these are actively encouraged.
• So, whilst you are working for yourself you also have the support of a great team. 

• Our consultants buddy up with another to cover urgent matters when you are sick in the short term. If you are sick for the medium or long term our consultants can cover your caseload.
• You will get paid for any billable work carried out on your buddy’s cases.

We provide free of cost to you use of:

• Leap Case management system
• Practical Law
• IT support for you and all your devices
• Microsoft Office 365 Premium
• SEO/Google profile for location/PPC/local advertising campaigns
• Indemnity for all matters conducted for the firm
• Our offices at Selby or York (Selby for free & York for hire)
• BundleDocs for court bundles
• Certainty Will Register membership
• A PBA account for automatic payment of all your court fees.
• Telephone reception. A full landline answering service.
• Holiday cover – buddied with another consultant to provide holiday or sickness cover

Our practice management team manages:

• • Accounts for the firm
  • Third party payments
  • Compliance for the firm
  • Debt recovery
  • Manned new enquiry intake for firm generated enquiries
  • File closing
  • Taking payments from clients
  • File reviews
  • Post – received at York & Selby and scanned on system
  • Storage of documents at Selby