What’s in a name? What do we mean at Nexa when we say “consultant lawyer”?

What does “consultant lawyer” actually mean?

Clarity matters. As any lawyer knows, carefully considered definitions are crucial for legal accuracy and understanding. At Nexa, we often talk about our “consultants”, but what exactly do we mean by a consultant solicitor – or consultant lawyer?
If you have been researching legal career options, you may have come across these terms and wondered what they really mean. They are not titles that exist in traditional legal career paths, and they are not always clearly defined. In this guide, we explain the consultant lawyer meaning, how the model works, and how it differs from other ways of practising law.

At a Glance

• Consultant lawyer — a self employed solicitor who practises under a regulated firm’s umbrella, using its compliance, insurance, and systems. At Nexa Law, all our consultants are practising solicitors.
• Self employed solicitor — a broad term for any solicitor who is not employed on a permanent basis, including consultants, sole practitioners, and freelancers.
• Consultant solicitor — often used interchangeably with consultant lawyer; the key distinction is that a consultant lawyer practises under a regulated firm rather than operating entirely independently.

Consultant lawyer meaning: the basics

The word lawyer is a commonly understood lay term for both solicitors and barristers. At Nexa Law, a consultant lawyer is a qualified solicitor who works on a self-employed basis under the umbrella of our SRA regulated firm. They manage their own clients, set their own hours, and run their own legal practice, but they do so using the compliance framework, insurance, systems, and administrative support of an established firm.
The term combines two ideas:

• Consultant – a professional who provides expert advice independently, rather than as an employee. The standard dictionary definition of a consultant is, “a person who gives expert advice to a person or organisation on a particular subject“.
• Lawyer – a commonly understood term for a qualified legal professional. At Nexa, our consultants are all practising solicitors regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) in England and Wales.

In practice, a consultant lawyer operates much like a sole practitioner, but without the cost and complexity of setting up and running a law firm from scratch. At Nexa, our consultants are all self-employed. In effect this means they are running their own micro-businesses under the umbrella of our SRA regulated firm.
As well as taking care of the regulatory burden, we provide everything else that our consultants need to run their legal businesses. This includes:

• Insuring the legal advice they give their clients.
• Providing the critical ‘back office’ services like finance, IT and compliance necessary to deliver their advice.
• Providing other key support such as marketing, know how resources and training.

What is the legal definition of a consultant lawyer?

There is no single statutory definition of “consultant lawyer” in UK law. The term is used across the legal industry to describe solicitors who practise on a self-employed basis through a regulated firm, using that firm’s authorisation, insurance, and compliance infrastructure.
What distinguishes a consultant lawyer from other types of legal practitioner is the combination of:

• Self-employment status
• Practising under a regulated firm’s umbrella
• Owning and managing their own client relationships
• Earning through a fee-share arrangement rather than a salary

The SRA does not use the term “consultant lawyer” as a specific regulatory category. Instead, consultant lawyers are authorised to practise through the firm they contract with and must comply with the same professional obligations as any other solicitor.

What is a self employed solicitor?

A self employed solicitor is a qualified solicitor who is not employed by a law firm on a permanent basis. Instead, they work independently, managing their own clients, workload, and business. Self employed solicitors may operate as sole practitioners, work through a limited company, or practise under the umbrella of a regulated firm as consultant solicitors.
The term “self employed solicitor” is a broad category that covers several ways of practising law independently. It includes:

• Consultant solicitors who work under the umbrella of a regulated firm, using its compliance, insurance, and systems.
• Sole practitioners who set up and run their own law firm entirely.
• Freelance or locum solicitors who work on demand for different firms and in-house teams.

For solicitors exploring self employment, the consultant model at firms like Nexa Law offers a middle ground: the independence of being self employed, with the support and infrastructure of an established firm. Find out more about joining Nexa Law as a consultant.

Type	Own clients?	Income model	Firm support	Best for
Consultant solicitor	Yes	Market leading fee share	Full (compliance, insurance, admin, tech)	Experienced solicitors wanting independence with support
Sole practitioner	Yes	Keeps all revenue (minus overheads)	None — you build everything	Solicitors who want full control and can manage overheads
Freelance / locum	No	Daily rate or hourly	Varies by assignment	Solicitors wanting variety and flexibility without client development
Partner	Shared / firm-referred	Salary + profit share	Full (but with management responsibilities)	Senior solicitors wanting leadership and ownership stakes

How does a consultant solicitor differ from an employed solicitor?

The most straightforward comparison is between a consultant solicitor and an employed solicitor. The key differences are:

• Employment status – An employed solicitor works under a contract of employment. A consultant solicitor is self-employed and usually operates through a limited company.
• Income – An employed solicitor receives a salary, often with bonuses. A consultant solicitor earns through a fee-share model, keeping a percentage of the fees they bill.
• Clients – An employed solicitor usually works with clients referred by the firm. A consultant solicitor typically brings their own client base or develops one independently.
• Hours and location – An employed solicitor works under the firm’s policies and schedules. A consultant solicitor has full flexibility over when and where they work.
• Overhead – An employed solicitor has no direct business costs. A consultant solicitor covers their own professional expenses but benefits from the firm’s infrastructure.

For solicitors who want greater control over their career, income, and working life, the consultant model offers a compelling alternative to traditional employment.

How does a consultant solicitor differ from a partner?

Partnership is the traditional route to seniority in a law firm. A partner typically has ownership stakes, management responsibilities, and profit-sharing arrangements within the firm.
A consultant solicitor does not have ownership or management obligations. They earn through a fee-share arrangement and focus on their own practice, without the overhead of running the firm itself. For solicitors who want the financial upside of partnership without the politics, management burden, or capital investment, the consultant model can be attractive.

How does a consultant solicitor differ from a freelance or locum solicitor?

The terms “freelance solicitor”, “locum solicitor”, and “contract lawyer” are sometimes used interchangeably with “consultant solicitor”, but they are not the same thing.
A freelance or locum solicitor typically works on demand to provide capacity support to law firms and in-house teams. They may work for multiple firms at once and do not usually build their own client-facing practice. Their work is often project-based or temporary.
A consultant solicitor, by contrast, builds their own client base and runs their own practice under the umbrella of a regulated firm. They are not providing cover or capacity for another firm; they are running their own legal business.
This distinction matters because the two models attract different types of lawyers and offer different career outcomes.

What does a consultant solicitor do day to day?

A consultant solicitor’s day-to-day work is largely the same as any other solicitor’s. They advise clients, prepare legal documents, conduct negotiations, and represent clients in proceedings where appropriate.
The difference is in how the work is organised. A consultant solicitor:

• Manages their own diary and workload
• Decides which clients to take on
• Sets their own billing rates (within the firm’s framework)
• Handles client relationships directly
• Benefits from the firm’s compliance, insurance, and administrative support

For many solicitors, this combination of independence and support is the ideal way to practise.

What support does a consultant solicitor get?

One of the main advantages of the consultant model is that solicitors do not have to build the operational infrastructure of a law firm themselves. At Nexa Law, consultant solicitors benefit from:

• SRA regulation and compliance – Nexa provides the regulatory framework required to practise.
• Professional indemnity insurance – consultants are covered under Nexa’s insurance.
• Legal technology and case management – access to Practical Law, LEAP, and document management systems.
• Billing, cashiering, and credit control – financial administration support.
• Administrative support – postal scanning, telephone support, and document handling.
• Marketing and business development – support to raise your profile and grow your practice.
• Community and networking – monthly face-to-face events and firm-wide gatherings.

Who is the consultant solicitor model suited to?

The consultant solicitor model works best for experienced solicitors who:

• Have an existing client base or strong referral network
• Want greater control over their income and working hours
• Are commercially confident and self-disciplined
• Want to build their own practice without the overhead of starting a firm
• Value flexibility and autonomy in their legal career

It is generally less suitable for newly qualified solicitors or those who still need close day-to-day supervision. At Nexa Law, we require consultants to have at least eight years’ post-qualified experience.
You can see our current consultants on our lawyers page.

How does the fee-share model work?

Consultant solicitors at Nexa Law earn through a fee-share arrangement. This means they keep a percentage of the fees they bill and recover from clients, while the firm retains the remaining percentage in return for providing infrastructure and support.
At Nexa Law, consultant solicitors benefit from a market-leading fee share, designed to ensure they earn more of what they’re worth. Learn more about our transparent fee structure.
You can also compare your potential earnings using our income calculator.

What are the benefits of being a consultant solicitor?

The consultant solicitor model offers several advantages over traditional employment:

• Higher earning potential – market leading fee share
• Flexibility – work from home, remotely, or around personal commitments. See also our guide on the benefits of working for a virtual law firm.
• Autonomy – choose your clients, your cases, and your working hours
• Lower overhead – benefit from firm infrastructure without the cost of running a firm
• Professional support – compliance, insurance, technology, and administration handled for you
• Community – network with other consultant solicitors through regular events

Read more about 5 reasons to become your own boss.

Making a distinction between consultants and contract lawyers

In order to avoid confusion, we think it’s important to make a distinction between the two limbs of consultancy law that have opened up in recent years.
Platforms like Nexa’s facilitate lawyers who want to build their own, unique client facing law firm brand and win their own clients. This should not be confused with the lawyers who, may also be self-employed, but who work on demand to provide capacity support to law firms and in-house teams.
This latter type of lawyer may be called a “freelancer”, “locum” or “contractor”. This model of working brings the flexibility that many people want — you can work when you want and as much or as little as you want — and does not involve winning or advising your own clients.
Through our NexaConnex offering for law firms, we are fortunate to also work with many high-quality contract lawyers. To find out more about opportunities to work with NexaConnex as a lawyer or client, see our brochure.

What are the challenges of being a consultant solicitor?

The consultant model is not without its challenges. It is important to understand:

• Income variability – earnings depend on your billing and may fluctuate month to month.
• No employer benefits – there is no employer-funded holiday, sick pay, or pension contributions.
• Business development – you are responsible for generating your own work and building your client base.
• Self-discipline – without the structure of employment, you need strong time management and organisational skills.

For solicitors who are ready for that level of independence, the rewards can be significant. But it is important to be realistic about what the model requires.

How to become a consultant solicitor

If you are interested in becoming a consultant solicitor, here are the key steps:

1. Assess your readiness – evaluate your experience, client base, and commercial confidence.
2. Research firms – compare the support, fee structures, and culture of different consultant platforms.
3. Understand your likely earnings – estimate your billing potential and compare it with your current salary. Use our income calculator to model your potential take-home.
4. Plan your transition – think about notice periods, client communication, regulatory requirements, and practical onboarding.
5. Apply and onboard – once you have chosen a firm, apply and go through the onboarding process.
6. Build your practice – focus on delivering excellent client service, nurturing referral relationships, and growing your reputation.

For a more detailed guide, read our article on how to successfully transition from solicitor to consultant solicitor.

Is becoming a consultant solicitor worth it?

For the right solicitor, yes. If you are experienced, entrepreneurial, and have the ability to generate work, becoming a consultant solicitor can offer greater flexibility, higher earning potential, and more control over your career than traditional employment.
The consultant solicitor meaning goes beyond just a job title. It represents a different way of practising law, one that prioritises independence, ownership, and commercial freedom while maintaining the professional support and regulatory framework that solicitors need.
If you would like to discuss whether the consultant model is right for you, arrange a confidential call with John McAuley, our Chief Commercial Officer.

— Eliot Hibbert, COO & Founder

FAQs

What is a consultant solicitor?
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A consultant solicitor is a qualified solicitor who works on a self-employed basis under the umbrella of a regulated law firm. They manage their own clients, set their own hours, and run their own legal practice, using the firm’s compliance, insurance, systems, and administrative support.

Is “consultant solicitor” a legal title?
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There is no single statutory definition of “consultant solicitor” in UK law. The term is used across the legal industry to describe solicitors who practise on a self-employed basis through a regulated firm. Consultant solicitors are authorised to practise through the firm they contract with and must comply with the same professional obligations as any other solicitor.

What is the difference between a consultant solicitor and a freelance solicitor?
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A freelance or locum solicitor typically works on demand to provide capacity support to law firms and in-house teams. A consultant solicitor builds their own client base and runs their own practice under the umbrella of a regulated firm. The two models attract different types of lawyers and offer different career outcomes.

How much does a consultant solicitor earn?
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A consultant solicitor’s earnings depend on their fee-share percentage, billing levels, client base, recovery rates, and working patterns. At Nexa Law, consultant solicitors benefit from a market-leading fee share, designed to ensure they earn more of what they’re worth.

Can a newly qualified solicitor become a consultant solicitor?
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The consultant solicitor model is generally not suitable for newly qualified solicitors because it requires independence, experience, commercial confidence, and the ability to generate or manage client work. Nexa Law requires consultant solicitors to have at least eight years’ post-qualified experience.

What support does Nexa Law provide to consultant solicitors?
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Nexa Law provides SRA regulation and compliance, professional indemnity insurance, legal technology and case management systems, billing and cashiering support, administrative support, marketing and business development support, and regular networking opportunities.

What is a self employed solicitor?
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A self employed solicitor is a qualified solicitor who works independently rather than as an employee of a law firm. They manage their own clients, workload, and business. Self employed solicitors may operate as sole practitioners, work through a limited company, or practise as consultant solicitors under the umbrella of a regulated firm.

What is a consultant lawyer?
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A consultant lawyer is a self employed legal professional who practises under the umbrella of a regulated law firm. The term is often used interchangeably with “consultant solicitor”. At Nexa Law, all consultant lawyers are practising solicitors who manage their own clients and earn through a fee-share arrangement.

How do I become a self employed solicitor?
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To become a self employed solicitor, you need to be a qualified solicitor with a current practising certificate. You can then set up as a sole practitioner, join a consultant platform like Nexa Law, or work as a freelance or locum solicitor. The consultant model is often the simplest route, as the firm provides compliance, insurance, and infrastructure.