Master of the Rolls, Sir Geoffrey Vos, announced the 3.65% increase last month, which came into effect from 1 January 2025. This means that the hourly rates have increased in line with SPPI (inflation).
The GHR provide a framework for the recoverable hourly rate for different grades of fee earners in different regions of England and Wales. The GHR is split is split into various different sections. The rates vary depending on the location of the legal professional and the title/experience of the legal professional.
The grades set out for the experience of solicitors are as follows:
- Grade 1/A – Solicitors and legal executives with over 8 years of experience
- Grade 2/B – Solicitors and legal executives with over 4 years of experience
- Grade 3/C – Other solicitors or legal executives and fee earners of equivalent experience
- Grade 4/D – Trainee solicitors, paralegals and other fee earners
The grades of legal professionals are then split into their working location:
- London band 1 – Heavy commercial and corporate work in Central London
- London band 2 – City and Central London
- London band 3 – Outer London
- National 1 – Usually inner cities
- National 2 – Usually outer cities
The updated 2025 Guideline rates to solicitors’ costs in England and Wales are set out in the table below:
Regional Grade A Solicitors in Leicester will see an increase of the GHR to £288 per hour up from £278 per hour.
Trainee Solicitor, Yusuf Takoliya observes: “An increase in the Guideline Hourly Rate (GHR) is a positive development that acknowledges changing market conditions such as inflation. However, many legal professionals offer alternative rates based on factors such as the complexity of the case and the amount of work required.Given this, should the GHR framework be modified to incorporate formally agreed enhanced rates that account for case value and complexity? This adjustment would certainly provide greater clarity and transparency.
