What is the practising certificate fee?
Most solicitors in England and Wales pay an annual practising certificate (PC) fee.
The overall cost of the PC fee is approved by the Legal Services Board (LSB), the oversight regulator for legal services. It’s used to fund:
- the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)
- the Law Society
- levies paid to fund the activities of the Legal Ombudsman (LeO)
- the LSB
- the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT)
- the Office for Professional Body Anti-Money Laundering Supervision (OPBAS)
Fees are paid by solicitors, or their employer or law firm on their behalf, every year. This income determines what we can achieve for solicitors, the profession and wider society.
PC fee consultation
Solicitors are at the heart of all we do.
Every year, we consult with solicitors to understand what they think of how we plan to use our share of the PC fee to deliver the resources, guidance and support they need to thrive.
It’s an opportunity for us to gather insight and make sure our priorities are aligned as we plan for the future.
Our next consultation will be in early 2026.
Our commercial income
Alongside the PC fee, we generate income from commercial activities, properties and investments. Some of the commercial products that add to our income are:
- our conferences, training and events, to support solicitors and their professional development
- memberships to specialist communities based on practice area or characteristics
- learning and development courses
- accreditations
- publications, like our Sections magazines and books
- enquiry and document delivery services through our library
We also receive income from:
- advertising and sponsorships from commercial partners
- events hire and catering at our head office on Chancery Lane
- investments
