How to Start as a Freelance Solicitor in the UK

Since 2019, the SRA has allowed solicitors to practise on a freelance basis without needing to set up or work within a traditional law firm. This opened the door for experienced solicitors to work independently, offering legal services directly to clients or providing consultancy to other firms.

SRA Requirements

To practise as a freelance solicitor, you must:

• Hold a current SRA practising certificate
• Comply with the SRA Standards and Regulations
• Not employ anyone to work in the delivery of legal services (you can use non-lawyer support staff)
• Not hold client money (you can use a third-party managed account service)
• Have professional indemnity insurance meeting SRA minimum terms

You do not need to register as a firm — you operate as an individual solicitor. However, you must notify the SRA that you are practising as a freelance solicitor.

Sole Trader or Limited Company?

Most freelance solicitors operate as sole traders, which aligns with the SRA's freelance solicitor framework. Some operate through a limited company, but this may mean the entity needs to be authorised by the SRA as a recognised body, adding complexity. Take advice on the most appropriate structure.

Registering with HMRC

Register for Self Assessment within three months. VAT at £90,000 turnover — many solicitors will reach this threshold. Legal services are standard-rated for VAT.

Insurance

• Professional indemnity insurance — mandatory under SRA rules. Must meet SRA minimum terms and conditions. Costs vary widely: £2,000–£10,000+ depending on your practice areas and turnover. Conveyancing and personal injury attract higher premiums.
• Public liability — if you meet clients at your premises
• Cyber insurance — essential given the confidential data you handle

Claimable Expenses

• SRA practising certificate — annual fee
• Law Society membership — optional but common
• Professional indemnity insurance
• Legal research tools — Westlaw, LexisNexis, Practical Law
• Practice management software — case management, time recording, billing
• Home office costs — flat rate or actual proportion
• Travel — to client meetings, courts, at 45p per mile
• CPD and training — SRA requires ongoing competence
• Marketing — website, LinkedIn, legal directories
• Phone and broadband
• Co-working space or serviced office
• Third-party managed account fees — if you need to handle client money through a TPMA
• Accountancy fees
• DBS check costs
• Specialist publications and subscriptions

Accounted tracks your expenses and keeps everything ready for your tax return.

Pricing

• Hourly rate — £150–£400+ depending on specialism and experience
• Fixed fees — increasingly common for defined pieces of work
• Retainer — monthly retainer for ongoing advisory work
• Consultancy to firms — day rates of £400–£1,000+ for specialist consultancy work

Areas of Practice

Popular areas for freelance solicitors include:

• Commercial contracts
• Employment law
• Property law (if you use a TPMA for client money)
• Immigration
• Data protection and GDPR
• Regulatory compliance
• Family law
• Wills and probate

Some practice areas (conveyancing, litigation with client money) are more complex to deliver as a freelance solicitor due to the client money restrictions.

Building Your Practice

• Your network — former clients and colleagues (subject to any restrictive covenants)
• Legal directories — The Law Society Find a Solicitor, Chambers, Legal 500
• LinkedIn — essential for professional services
• Consultancy to law firms — firms need specialist support for overflow or niche work
• Bar-style clerking services — platforms that connect freelance solicitors with firms
• Content marketing — articles demonstrating your expertise

Bookkeeping Tips

• Separate business and personal finances completely
• Track billable hours accurately — this drives your income
• Never hold client money unless you have a TPMA arrangement
• Invoice promptly — cash flow is critical
• Monitor aged debtors — follow up on overdue invoices
• Set aside 25–30% of profits for tax
• Budget for PII — it is a significant annual cost

Accounted connects to your bank and categorises transactions with AI. Designed for UK professionals.

Key Deadlines

• 31 January — Self Assessment and payment
• 31 July — second payment on account
• Quarterly — VAT returns if registered
• Annually — SRA practising certificate renewal, PII renewal

Getting Started

Freelance solicitor practice offers professional independence with lower overheads than a traditional firm. Ensure your SRA compliance is in order, arrange proper insurance, and keep your finances well-managed.

Ready to manage your freelance legal practice finances? Sign up for Accounted and let Penny handle the bookkeeping while you focus on your clients.