Lawyer CV for the United Kingdom
For lawyer jobs in the United Kingdom, lead with SRA admission as a solicitor or call to the Bar (BSB). Employers usually expect a CV on A4 paper, most recent experience first. Length: 2 pages (longer for academic and senior medical CVs). Employers there usually leave out a photo, date of birth and marital status. If you are not a citizen, your right to work or visa status is usually stated.
Build a lawyer CV for the United KingdomYour first CV is free. The builder applies these rules and checks your CV before you download it.
Registration and licences
| Lawyers | SRA admission as a solicitor or call to the Bar (BSB) |
|---|
Put it near the top of the CV. If you are still applying, list it with the status “In progress” and the date you applied. Confirm current requirements with the regulator before you apply.
Sections to include
| Section (in this order) | How important |
|---|---|
| Profile | Recommended |
| Bar admissions & practising certificates | Expected |
| Experience | Expected |
| Education | Expected |
| Practice areas & skills | Recommended |
Length: 2 pages (longer for academic and senior medical CVs).
Personal details in the United Kingdom
| What it is called | Curriculum Vitae |
|---|---|
| Length | 2 pages (longer for academic and senior medical CVs) |
| Paper size | A4 |
| Layout | Single column |
| Order | Most recent first |
| Dates | Month and year (e.g. Mar 2023) |
| Photo | Usually left out |
| Date of birth | Usually left out |
| Nationality | Usually left out |
| Marital status | Usually left out |
| Right to work / visa status | Usually included |
| References | “References available on request” is fine |
| Explain gaps longer than | 6 months |
Key facts
- Solicitors in England and Wales are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). Source: sra.org.uk
- In the United Kingdom, the Equality Act 2010 lists age, marriage and civil partnership, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation among its protected characteristics. Source: legislation.gov.uk
- UK employers must check that a new employee has the right to work in the UK before the job starts. Source: gov.uk
- In the United Kingdom, Acas guidance on age discrimination covers recruitment, including how job applications are assessed. Source: acas.org.uk
- In the United Kingdom, work with children or vulnerable adults usually needs a criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS); Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own schemes. Source: gov.uk
Facts checked 2026-10-15.
Tips
- State admissions (jurisdiction, year) and practising status first.
- Describe practice areas, notable matters (anonymised) and deal values.
- Education carries weight: class of degree, honours, moots.
- No photo, date of birth or marital status: age, sex and marriage are protected under the Equality Act 2010, so employers generally prefer CVs without them.
- Open with a short personal profile (3–4 lines) aimed at the role.
- If you are not a UK or Irish citizen, state your right to work (e.g. Skilled Worker visa, settled status).
- Two referees are normal; “references available on request” is fine on the CV itself.
Questions
What registration do lawyers need on a CV in the United Kingdom?
Lawyers applying in the United Kingdom should show SRA admission as a solicitor or call to the Bar (BSB) near the top of the CV, with the registration number and status. If you are still applying, list it with the status “In progress”. Put it in its own section, above your experience. Requirements change, so confirm the current rules with the regulator before you apply.
Should a lawyer CV for the United Kingdom have a photo?
No. Leave the photo off a lawyer CV for the United Kingdom. Employers there don’t expect one and generally prefer CVs without it, and the CV Atlas readiness check flags a photo if you add one. Use the space for your experience and qualifications, and include a photo only if a job advert asks for one. No photo, date of birth or marital status: age, sex and marriage are protected under the Equality Act 2010, so employers generally prefer CVs without them.
How long should a lawyer CV be in the United Kingdom?
Aim for 2 pages, the norm in the United Kingdom. Put your registration and most recent roles on the first page, keep older roles to a line or two each, and use A4 paper. Employers in this field usually check your registration first. CV Atlas warns you when the CV runs longer than usual.
What sections does a lawyer CV for the United Kingdom need?
A lawyer CV for the United Kingdom needs your contact details, experience, education and bar admissions and practising certificates. In the header, include your visa or right-to-work status. Leave out the photo, date of birth and nationality. Put the most recent role first and describe each post with the setting, scope and results. CV Atlas applies this structure when you choose the job and the country, and its readiness check lists anything missing.
Related guides
General guides: CVs for the United Kingdom and Law & legal services CVs in any country.
Other jobs in the United Kingdom: Doctor, Nurse, Dentist, Pharmacist, Allied health, Teacher, Engineer, Accountant, Electrician and trades, Care worker, Childcare worker, Social worker, Software engineer.
Lawyer CVs for other countries: United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Netherlands, France, Sweden, Norway, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Singapore, Japan.
Start your lawyer CVYour first CV is free. The builder applies these rules and checks your CV before you download it.
Guidance checked October 2026; facts checked 2026-10-15. General information for most employers, not legal or immigration advice. A job advert’s own instructions always come first. CV Atlas is not affiliated with any regulator or professional body named.