UK in the lead on pay

GENERAL COUNSEL: UK incomes top Europe, but well behind US

UK in-house lawyers are earning more than their counterparts in mainland Europe but are still lagging well behind those in the US, new research has shown.

A survey by Global Counsel magazine put the average total income of a general counsel in the UK at almost $239,000 (165,000), including a $37,500 bonus.

Of the countries surveyed, Switzerland came closest with $224,000.

France, with $118,000, was lowest.

However, the average for a general counsel in the US was $388,000, almost a third of which came in the form of a bonus.

Across Europe, general counsel received 20% of their base pay as a bonus, compared to 45% in the US.

Section heads in the UK received an average total pay packet of $172,000, senior lawyers an average $100,000 and junior lawyers an average $60,080.

As previous surveys have shown, in-house positions compete with private practice at the lower end of experience.

However, general counsel could earn a lot more in a private partnership.

Most companies offered bonuses, medical insurance and retirement benefit to all lawyers, while company cars and share options tended to be the preserve of more senior lawyers.

However, share options are increasingly becoming a perk in Europe, as they have been for some time in the US.

General counsel in 71% of respondent companies received share options, while 55% offered them to section heads as well.

Only 21% of junior lawyers received options.

Neil Rose