Career options for solicitors
Stay up to date with flexible working laws
You have the right to request permanent changes to your contract from the first day of employment.
You will be able to ask your employer for changes to how long, when and where you work.
Also, you will no longer have to explain what effect, if any, the flexible working request would have on your organisation and how any problems could be overcome.
Your organisation does not have to accept this request, but if they reject it, they must do so for a legally valid reason.
Private practice
Most solicitors in England and Wales – over 95,000 – work in private practice.
Private law firms offer legal services to different types of clients, from individuals to businesses.
In-house
In-house solicitors look after the legal needs of an organisation.
The number of solicitors working in-house has been steadily increasing, with in-house practitioners now making up over a quarter of the profession (26%).
Roles usually go beyond providing legal advice, such as understanding the context of the legal strategy and the business plan.
Job titles may include legal officer or general counsel.
There are many in-house employers, such as:
- commerce and industry
- charities
- the Crown Prosecution Service
- the Government Legal Profession
- local authorities
- law centres
Our In-house Network provides support and advice on key issues facing all in-house lawyers, working in the corporate and public sectors, not-for-profit organisations and charities.
Learn more about the In-house Network
Sole practitioner
Sole practitioners are self-employed solicitors who are the only principal in a practice.
Sole practitioners make up 4.4% of all solicitors in private practice in England and Wales.
To become a sole practitioner, you must have practised as a solicitor for at least 36 months within the last 10 years and have authorisation from the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).
For more information, see:
- our practice note on setting up a practice
- the SRA’s sole practitioners regulatory starter pack
- our Small Firms Network
Solicitor advocate
Solicitor advocates have the same rights of audience (the right to appear and conduct proceedings in court) as barristers.
They can represent clients in the higher courts (High Court, Crown Court, Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court).
Solicitor advocates usually practise litigation and specialise in civil, family or criminal law. As of 31 July 2018, 6,864 practising solicitors had higher rights of audience.
To become a solicitor advocate, you must meet standards set by the SRA and pass a rights of audience course.
Find out more about higher rights of audience
Highly experienced solicitor advocates can become King's Counsel (KC).
KCs are often seen as leaders in their area of law and generally take on more complex cases that require a higher level of legal expertise.
Find out more about becoming a KC
Judiciary
Judges in England and Wales are legal professionals with further career experience.
Depending on the role, you’ll need at least five years’ post-qualification experience.
You start on a fee-paid basis. A fee-paid basis is an agreed payment for the work, regardless of the time it takes.
You can work while continuing in practice, or as a full- or part-time salaried judge.
There are several starting points:
- recorder
- deputy district judge – civil and family
- deputy district judge – magistrates’ court
- tribunals – a wide range of appointments
The selection process is competitive. If you’re submitting a judicial application, you should attend our event on judiciary interview training for solicitors.
The Courts and Tribunals Judiciary gives examples of judges' career paths.
Career development events
Fee-paid judge of the first-tier tribunal: property chamber pre-application seminar
Date: 24 June 2025.
The Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) is launching a selection exercise in July to recruit fee-paid judges of the First-tier Tribunal, Property Chamber.
The Judicial Office has organised this pre-application seminar to prepare potential applicants and provide up-to-date guidance on the JAC’s selection process.
Recharge: how to work more flexibly and develop a portfolio career
Date: 16 September 2025.
This free online classroom and Q&A is aimed at solicitors across all levels of PQE who have hit a career crossroad and are considering how they can work more flexibly by building a portfolio career.
Considering moving in-house? How to successfully transition from private practice to in-house
Date: 22 October 2025.
This online interactive masterclass is aimed at M&A and commercial solicitors across all levels of PQE considering moving in-house. This training covers the key skills and attributes employers look for when hiring in-house solicitors.