PRICE GUIDE · BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL · 2026–2027
Paralegal cost in the UK
£40–£142 per hour. Typically £80.
An independent paralegal costs £40–£80 per hour in the UK, while paralegal time inside a solicitors' firm is billed at around £142 an hour or more. Paralegals suit form-filling, document preparation and small claims, but cannot do reserved legal work such as running litigation.
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HOW MUCH IT COSTS
How much does a paralegal cost in the UK?
| Low end | £40 | an independent paralegal on form-filling |
|---|---|---|
| Typical | £80 | what most people pay |
| High end | £142 | paralegal time billed by a solicitors' firm |
Locufy guide prices for 2026–2027. Updated 2026. A national range, not a quote — enter your town above for real prices from the accountants, solicitors and professional firms near you.
What moves the price
- Independent or in a firm — an independent paralegal charges far less than paralegal time billed by a solicitors' firm
- Type of task — form-filling and document preparation cost less than complex case support
- Experience and licensing — licensed paralegals with long experience charge more
- Fixed fees — many paralegals quote a fixed price for a defined task
- Location — paralegal rates in London are higher than in most of the country
- Limits on their role — reserved legal activities need a solicitor, which adds cost if needed
Professional services prices in the UK are up 12% over five years (ONS Consumer Price Inflation, Other services n.e.c., to 2026 August). Five years ago a typical paralegal would have cost about £55 — an estimate from today's guide price and that index, not a recorded price. Source: ONS MM23 D7FR →
WHAT YOU GET
What a paralegal visit includes
Takes: From an hour for a single document to several days spread over a case. Not included: Reserved legal activities, court representation and barristers' fees need a solicitor or barrister — see the related guides below.
WHAT PEOPLE BOOK
Common paralegal jobs
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Paralegal near you, with prices shown
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How to pay less
- Use an independent paralegal for form-filling and document preparation rather than a solicitor
- Ask the paralegal for a fixed price for a clearly defined task
- Organise your papers before the first paralegal meeting to reduce paid time
Before you book
- Paralegals cannot carry out reserved legal activities, such as conducting litigation in court
- Check whether the paralegal is licensed by a membership body and holds insurance
- Ask how complaints are handled, as paralegals are not regulated like solicitors
- Agree in writing what the paralegal will do and the fee before work starts
Paralegal cost: questions people ask
Independent paralegals typically charge £40–£80 per hour. Paralegal time billed by a solicitors' firm runs from around £142 an hour, depending on the area.
A single form or letter may take an hour or two. Organising a case for a hearing can take several days.
Paralegals cannot carry out reserved legal activities, such as conducting litigation or having rights to speak in court, unless authorised.
Not by statute. Membership bodies license paralegals and set codes of conduct, so check membership and insurance.
Court fees, solicitor or barrister involvement and expert reports are separate costs.
They are Locufy guide prices for the UK, drawn from published paralegal fee guides and guideline hourly rates. They show a national range rather than a quote.
MORE GUIDES