Lexcel Fee Earners vs Non-fee Earners
When scoping a Lexcel assessment, your colleagues are categorised as fee earners or non-fee earners on both the application form and the assessment plan produced by your assessor. It’s essential that the application form accurately reflects the Lexcel definition of a fee earner, as any inaccuracies could result in changes to the assessment plan, file review times, and interviews—potentially affecting the overall cost of your assessment.
What is a fee earner?
In a law firm, a fee earner is any member of staff whose work is directly billable to clients. This means their time and expertise generate income for the firm.
Typical fee earners include:
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Solicitors
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Legal executives
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Paralegals
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Trainee solicitors (in some firms)
Key characteristics of a fee earner:
- Direct Client Billing: They generate revenue by charging clients for legal work performed.
- Casework and Advice: They are responsible for providing legal advice, handling cases, and representing clients.
- Revenue Generation: Their primary function is to directly contribute to the financial income of the practice.
It is the activity rather than the role title that influences if they are a fee earner for your Lexcel assessment.
What is a non-fee earner?
Support staff, like receptionists, secretaries, and HR, are usually considered to be non-fee earners because their roles don’t directly bring in client revenue, even though they’re essential to the firm’s operations.
