Price Guide

How Much Does a Solicitor Really Cost?

Compare prices for 12 services across 342 UK locations. Data-driven pricing updated for .

12 services priced 342 cities covered Updated

National pricing

Solicitor Prices

National average prices. Select a city below for local pricing.

All prices include materials and labour unless stated otherwise. Prices verified 2026

Conveyancing (Buying)

Low

£800

Average

£1,400

High

£2,200

8-12 weeks

More details

The legal work needed to buy a property. Your solicitor checks who owns it, carries out local council searches, draws up the contracts, and handles the exchange and completion. Prices shown are the solicitor's fees only — you also pay for searches, Land Registry fees, and stamp duty on top.

~68% labour, ~32% materials

What affects the price

  • Property value (fees often scale with price)
  • Freehold vs leasehold (leasehold adds around £300)
  • Whether a mortgage is involved (additional lender work)
  • Complexity of the title or chain

Conveyancing (Selling)

Low

£500

Average

£850

High

£1,300

8-12 weeks

More details

Legal work involved in selling a property, including drafting the contract, responding to buyer enquiries, handling exchange and completion, and redeeming any existing mortgage. Generally cheaper than buying as fewer searches are needed.

~85% labour, ~15% materials

What affects the price

  • Property value and type
  • Freehold vs leasehold (leasehold adds extra work)
  • Whether there is an existing mortgage to redeem
  • Complexity of title or management company requirements

Divorce (Uncontested)

Low

£500

Average

£1,500

High

£2,500

4-6 months

More details

Legal fees for an uncontested no-fault divorce where both parties agree. Includes preparing and filing the application, obtaining the conditional order and final order. The court fee of £612 is payable on top. Does not include financial settlement work, which is charged separately.

What affects the price

  • Court fee of £612 is a fixed additional cost
  • Whether a financial consent order is needed (separate fee)
  • Solicitor vs online divorce service (online can be cheaper)
  • Whether both parties are represented

Divorce (Contested)

Low

£5,000

Average

£15,000

High

£30,000

12-24 months

More details

Legal fees for a contested divorce where financial settlement or arrangements cannot be agreed. Includes court hearings, barrister fees, financial disclosure work and negotiation. Costs escalate quickly if the case goes to a final hearing.

What affects the price

  • Complexity of financial assets (pensions, businesses, property)
  • Number of court hearings required
  • Whether a barrister is instructed (adds significant cost)
  • Whether mediation is attempted first (can reduce costs)

Writing a Will (Simple)

Low

£150

Average

£250

High

£400

1-2 weeks

More details

A straightforward single will covering distribution of assets, appointment of executors and guardians for children. Suitable for people with simple estates and no complex tax planning requirements.

What affects the price

  • Solicitor location (London firms charge more)
  • Whether you use a high street solicitor or online will service
  • Complexity of your wishes and number of beneficiaries
  • Free Wills Month and charity will schemes can reduce cost to £0

Writing a Will (Complex or Mirror)

Low

£300

Average

£500

High

£1,000

2-4 weeks

More details

Mirror wills for couples (two matching wills) or complex wills involving trusts, business assets, inheritance tax planning or blended families. Mirror wills are typically charged as a pair. Trust-based wills are at the higher end.

What affects the price

  • Mirror wills for couples vs single complex will
  • Whether trusts need to be set up within the will
  • Business assets or overseas property
  • Tax planning requirements

Probate Application

Low

£1,500

Average

£2,500

High

£5,000

3-12 months

More details

Handling everything after someone dies — getting legal authority to deal with their estate, valuing their property and possessions, paying off debts, and distributing what is left to the people named in the will. The court fee is £273. Some solicitors charge a percentage of the estate value instead of a fixed fee.

~89% labour, ~11% materials

What affects the price

  • Size and complexity of the estate
  • Whether the deceased left a valid will
  • Number of assets and beneficiaries
  • Whether the solicitor charges fixed fee or percentage of estate

Power of Attorney

Low

£300

Average

£550

High

£1,000

8-12 weeks to register

More details

Setting up a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) — a legal document that lets someone you trust make decisions for you if you become unable to. There are two types: one for finances and one for health decisions. Most people set up both. The government registration fee is £82 per LPA on top of the solicitor's fee.

~76% labour, ~24% materials

What affects the price

  • One LPA or both types (property/financial and health/welfare)
  • OPG registration fee of £82 per LPA
  • Solicitor vs online LPA service
  • Whether you qualify for a fee exemption or remission

Employment Tribunal Claim

Low

£1,500

Average

£5,000

High

£15,000

6-12 months

More details

Legal representation for an employment tribunal claim such as unfair dismissal, discrimination or unpaid wages. There is no court fee to bring a claim. Costs depend heavily on whether the case settles early or goes to a full hearing.

What affects the price

  • Complexity of the claim and evidence required
  • Whether the case settles via ACAS conciliation
  • Number of hearing days if it goes to tribunal
  • Whether a barrister is needed for advocacy

Personal Injury Claim (No Win No Fee)

Low

£0

Average

£0

High

£0

6-18 months

More details

Most personal injury solicitors work on a 'no win, no fee' basis, so you do not pay anything upfront. If your claim succeeds, the solicitor takes up to 25% of your compensation as their fee. If the claim fails, you pay nothing.

What affects the price

  • Success fee is capped at 25% of compensation
  • After-the-event insurance may be needed (sometimes included)
  • Medical report costs are usually covered by the solicitor
  • Settlement amount depends on injury severity and financial losses

Immigration Application

Low

£800

Average

£2,000

High

£4,000

2-6 months

More details

Solicitor fees for preparing and submitting a UK immigration application such as a spouse visa, work visa or indefinite leave to remain. Does not include Home Office application fees or the Immigration Health Surcharge, which are substantial additional costs.

What affects the price

  • Type of visa or application
  • Home Office application fee (varies by visa type)
  • Immigration Health Surcharge (£1,035 per year)
  • Complexity and supporting documentation required

Commercial Lease Review

Low

£500

Average

£1,000

High

£2,000

1-3 weeks

More details

Solicitor review of a commercial lease before signing, including checking terms, break clauses, rent review provisions, repair obligations and any unusual clauses. Essential for business tenants to avoid costly surprises.

What affects the price

  • Length and complexity of the lease
  • Whether negotiation of terms is needed
  • New lease vs lease assignment or renewal
  • Solicitor location (London firms charge more)

Popular locations

Solicitor Costs by City

London

£995–£2,735

Birmingham

£745–£2,055

Leeds

£780–£2,140

Glasgow

£840–£2,310

Sheffield

£790–£2,165

Manchester

£780–£2,150

Bradford

£700–£1,925

Edinburgh

£915–£2,510

Liverpool

£790–£2,175

Bristol

£860–£2,365

Coventry

£765–£2,110

Leicester

£685–£1,880

Local pricing

Find Solicitor Costs in Your City

Browse all 342 cities for local solicitor pricing.

Barking and Dagenham Barnet Bexley London
Brighton Milton Keynes Reading Southampton
Bournemouth Bristol Gloucester Plymouth
Colchester Luton Norwich Peterborough
Birmingham Coventry Stoke-on-Trent Wolverhampton
Derby Leicester Northampton Nottingham
Bradford Leeds Sheffield York
Bolton Liverpool Manchester Warrington
County Durham Middlesbrough Newcastle upon Tyne Sunderland
Blaenau Gwent Bridgend Cardiff Swansea
Aberdeen Dundee Edinburgh Glasgow
Belfast

Regional comparison

Conveyancing (Buying) by City

Average cost of conveyancing (buying) across key UK cities.

London
+24% £1,740
Manchester
-2% £1,370
Birmingham
-7% £1,305
Glasgow
+5% £1,470
Bristol
+7% £1,505
Leeds
-3% £1,360
Cardiff
-2% £1,375
Belfast
-13% £1,220

Overview

What Does a Solicitor Do?

A solicitor provides professional services covering conveyancing, divorce, wills, probate, power of attorney and other legal services. They cover a range of services from straightforward options to more complex, bespoke work. Choosing the right solicitor ensures you get quality results and a professional experience.

You should hire a solicitor whenever you need specialist expertise or professional-grade results. The right solicitor brings experience, proper equipment, and industry knowledge that makes a real difference to the outcome.

Pricing for solicitor services depends on the complexity of what you need, the options chosen, and where you live in the UK. Simpler services sit at the lower end of the scale, while more involved or premium options will be significantly more expensive. The prices on this page give you a realistic range for each type of service so you know what to expect before getting quotes.

When hiring a solicitor, always get at least three quotes from different legal professionals. Read recent reviews and ask for references. Always check SRA registration and fee structures. A reputable solicitor will be happy to provide a detailed breakdown of costs and explain exactly what is included in their quote.

Related services

Related Services

Services often needed alongside a solicitor.

Family Solicitor UK price guide £2,000–£15,000 Tutoring UK price guide £20–£40 Driving Lessons UK price guide £28–£40 Removals UK price guide £250–£600 Dentist UK price guide £27–£27 Hairdresser UK price guide £35–£80 Wedding Venue UK price guide £5,000–£15,000 Cosmetic Dentistry UK price guide £300–£800

Common questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about solicitor costs in the UK.

What is conveyancing and do I need a solicitor for it?
Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring property ownership when you buy or sell a house. You need either a solicitor or a licensed conveyancer to handle the legal work, searches, contracts and land registry. Using a solicitor is not optional — mortgage lenders require it.
What is the difference between a solicitor and a licensed conveyancer?
Both can handle property transactions. A solicitor has a broader legal qualification and can advise on wider issues (e.g. tax, disputes). A licensed conveyancer specialises solely in property law. For a straightforward purchase, either is fine. For complex transactions or if legal issues arise, a solicitor may be more versatile.
How long does conveyancing take?
A typical residential conveyancing transaction takes 8-12 weeks from offer acceptance to completion. Delays are common due to slow searches, mortgage conditions, or issues in the chain. Cash purchases with no chain can complete in 4-6 weeks. Your solicitor should keep you updated on progress and any hold-ups.
Do I need a will and how much does one cost?
Everyone over 18 with any assets, property or dependants should have a will. Without one, your estate is distributed according to intestacy rules which may not match your wishes. A simple single will costs around 150-300 from a solicitor. Mirror wills for couples cost around 250-500. Review your will after major life changes.
Can I do my own conveyancing without a solicitor?
Technically you can handle your own conveyancing, but in practice almost no one does. Mortgage lenders require a qualified solicitor or licensed conveyancer to act on their behalf, so you would need one anyway if you have a mortgage. The legal risks of missing something in the title or searches far outweigh the cost of professional help.
What is the difference between a fixed fee and an hourly rate?
Fixed fees give you certainty on cost and are common for straightforward work like wills, conveyancing and uncontested divorces. Hourly rates are used for unpredictable work like disputes, litigation or complex negotiations where the time involved is hard to estimate upfront. Always ask for a costs estimate and agree a cap if possible.
What are disbursements and why do I have to pay them?
Disbursements are costs your solicitor pays on your behalf to third parties — such as Land Registry fees, local authority search fees, court fees, or stamp duty. They are charged at cost with no markup. Your solicitor should list all expected disbursements in their initial quote so you know the full cost upfront.
How do I complain about a solicitor?
Start by raising your complaint directly with the solicitor or their firm. They are required to have a complaints procedure and must respond within eight weeks. If the complaint is not resolved, you can escalate it to the Legal Ombudsman, who can order compensation of up to £50,000. For serious misconduct, report to the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Is it worth using an online solicitor or conveyancer?
Online and national conveyancing firms are often cheaper than high street solicitors and can handle straightforward transactions perfectly well. However, they may be less responsive and you will not meet them face to face. For complex transactions, leasehold properties or situations where issues arise, a local solicitor with good communication can be worth the extra cost.
How much does a solicitor cost in the UK?
The most common solicitor job, conveyancing (buying), costs between £800 and £2,200 nationally, with an average of £1,400. Prices vary depending on the scope of work, materials used, and your location within the UK.
What affects solicitor prices?
The main factors are the complexity and scope of what you need, the options and products chosen, and your location. London and the South East are typically 15-35% more expensive than northern regions. Getting multiple quotes is the best way to ensure a fair price.
How do I find a reliable solicitor?
Get at least three quotes from different legal professionals, check recent reviews and references, and ask for a detailed written quote that breaks down all costs before committing. Always check SRA registration and fee structures.
Do solicitor prices vary by location?
Yes, significantly. London is the most expensive area, with prices typically 20-35% above the national average. The South East is also above average. Northern England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland tend to be 5-15% below the national average. Our city pages show exact local pricing for 342 UK locations.
Do the prices shown include materials?
The prices on this page include all typical costs. However, when getting real quotes, always confirm what is and isn't included. Some legal professionals break out costs separately, while others give an all-in price. Ask for a detailed breakdown before agreeing to any work.
When is the best time to hire a solicitor?
Demand for solicitor services tends to peak in autumn and winter, which can mean longer wait times and higher prices. If your job isn't urgent, booking during spring or summer may get you a better rate and faster availability. Emergency work will always cost more regardless of the time of year.