Private Client Solicitor Interview Questions UK: 8 Real Questions and What Interviewers Want

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

Eight Private Client Solicitor interview questions, and what the interviewer is thinking

1. What attracts you to private client work, and what makes someone good at advising on wills and probate?

Why they ask: They want to know you understand the sensitive, long-term nature of the work.

2. Walk me through the main stages of administering an estate, from the death to the final distribution.

Why they ask: This is the core of probate work and shows whether you understand the full process.

3. Explain how inheritance tax works, including the nil-rate band, residence nil-rate band and potentially exempt transfers.

Why they ask: Inheritance tax is central to private client advice, and they need accurate working knowledge.

4. What are the formalities for a valid will in England and Wales?

Why they ask: They test basic knowledge that underpins every will-drafting and probate matter.

5. What is the difference between the two types of lasting power of attorney, and how do you register one?

Why they ask: LPAs are a high-volume product, and they need to see you can advise accurately on them.

6. Tell me about a time you supported a bereaved client through a difficult estate administration.

Why they ask: They want to see empathy combined with practical case management.

7. What happens if someone dies without a valid will? Explain the intestacy rules.

Why they ask: Intestacy is common in practice, and misunderstandings affect many families.

8. A client in her late seventies wants to give her house to her daughter now to avoid inheritance tax and care fees. How would you advise?

Why they ask: They test your ability to give rounded planning advice, not just say yes.

A sample answer to question 1

What attracts you to private client work, and what makes someone good at advising on wills and probate?

Private client work suits me because it blends technical depth with long relationships. You are advising people on what happens to their family, home and business when they die or lose capacity, and the advice has to be legally accurate and emotionally intelligent. I enjoy the variety: one day a simple will for a young couple with a mortgage, the next a trust structure for a farming family or an estate with an inheritance tax liability. I think the best private client solicitors combine three things. First, patience and empathy, because clients are often grieving, anxious or worried about conflict among their children. Second, meticulous attention to detail, since a mis-signed will or a missed inheritance tax relief can cost a family tens of thousands of pounds. Third, practical judgement, so advice is realistic, for example telling a client that a complex trust is not proportionate for their circumstances. I also value the fact that good drafting can prevent disputes years later.

Common mistake to avoid: Saying you like it because it is quiet or low pressure; ignoring the emotional side

Want the rest?

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