Fee Earner Interview Questions UK: 8 Real Questions and What Interviewers Want

Applying for a Fee Earner job in the UK? Here is what you are likely to be asked. These questions come from our Fee Earner question bank of 16 questions, written for UK employers at mid-level level.

Eight Fee Earner interview questions, and what the interviewer is thinking

1. What does being a fee earner involve beyond doing legal work, and how do you view targets?

Why they ask: They want to see that you understand the commercial side of fee earning, not just legal skill.

2. What are work in progress and lock-up, and how do you manage them as a fee earner?

Why they ask: Cash flow is vital to a firm, and fee earners directly influence it.

3. What must a solicitor's bill contain to be enforceable under the Solicitors Act 1974, and what rights does the client have to challenge it?

Why they ask: Fee earners who issue invalid bills risk non-payment and complaints.

4. How do you set up and manage key dates and diary entries on a new matter so nothing is missed?

Why they ask: Missed dates are among the commonest causes of negligence claims, so they want a reliable system.

5. How do you prepare a costs estimate and deal with it if the work will exceed it?

Why they ask: Costs overruns are a leading cause of complaints, so they want to see disciplined estimating and communication.

6. What makes a well-run file, and what would a Lexcel or external file review look for?

Why they ask: File quality is critical for risk management, and fee earners are accountable for theirs.

7. A partner asks you to bill a client for all the time recorded on a file, but you know some of it was due to your own inefficiency. What do you do?

Why they ask: They are testing honesty, fairness to clients and sensible discussion with seniors.

8. Tell me about a time you exceeded a target or improved the profitability of your caseload.

Why they ask: Commercial results matter in a fee earning role, and they want evidence you can deliver them.

A sample answer to question 1

What does being a fee earner involve beyond doing legal work, and how do you view targets?

As a fee earner, I'm responsible for delivering legal work to a high standard and for generating revenue that sustains the firm. Day to day, that means running my own caseload, recording time accurately, producing bills, keeping work in progress moving and collecting payment promptly. Targets are part of the job, and I see them as a useful discipline rather than a threat. Typically, a target of around 1,200 to 1,400 billable hours a year, depending on the department, plus a fee income figure, is realistic, but I know the quality of work and client care matter just as much. I track my hours weekly against target, review unbilled time monthly and speak to my supervisor early if I'm likely to fall short, for instance because of leave or a slow period. I also contribute to the firm in non-billable ways, such as training juniors and helping with marketing. Balancing profitability and good service is the real skill.

Common mistake to avoid: Saying you dislike targets; treating time recording as an afterthought

Want the rest?

Full model answers, key points and common mistakes for all 16 questions are on the Fee Earner interview questions page. The first five are free, no sign-up needed.