What does a fractional Head of Legal cost?

Day rates typically range from 900-1400 GBP depending on complexity and specialization.

How do I evaluate legal leader candidates?

Assess in-house experience, transaction track record, and commercial orientation.

What qualifications matter most?

Legal qualification plus in-house experience, transaction involvement, and business acumen.

How long are typical engagements?

Legal engagements typically run 6-12 months or ongoing part-time support.

What does a fractional Head of Legal cost?

Day rates typically range from 900-1400 GBP depending on complexity and specialization.

How do I evaluate legal leader candidates?

Assess in-house experience, transaction track record, and commercial orientation.

What qualifications matter most?

Legal qualification plus in-house experience, transaction involvement, and business acumen.

How long are typical engagements?

Legal engagements typically run 6-12 months or ongoing part-time support.

Hiring Guide

Hire a Fractional Head of Legal

Complete guide to hiring fractional legal leadership

£800-2,000

Day Rate

2-6 weeks

Time to Hire

50-70%

Cost Savings

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Key Takeaways

1Fractional CFOs work 1-3 days per week, providing senior expertise without full-time costs
2UK day rates range from £800 to £1500, depending on experience and sector
3Typical engagements save 50-70% compared to full-time executive hires
4Ideal for startups, scale-ups, and SMEs needing strategic leadership
5No employment overhead: no pension, NI, benefits, or notice periods

Latest Fractional Jobs

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When to Hire a Fractional Head of Legal

Quick Definition

Consider a fractional Head of Legal when establishing legal function, managing complex transactions, or navigating regulatory requirements. Ideal for growing companies needing legal leadership without full-time cost.

What to Look For

Evaluate candidates on in-house legal experience, transaction management, regulatory expertise, and commercial contract skills. Look for successful M&A involvement and compliance program development.

Evaluation Criteria

Criteria	What to Assess	Red Flags
In-house Experience	Business-oriented legal leadership	Only law firm background
Transactions	M&A, fundraising, commercial deals	No deal experience
Compliance	Regulatory program development	Only reactive legal work
Commercial	Contract negotiation and management	Litigation focus only

Interview Questions

Ask about their in-house legal experience, transaction involvement, compliance program examples, and approach to balancing legal risk with business needs.

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Cost Comparison

Fractional vs Full-Time Executive

Full-Time Executive£286k/year

Salary + Benefits + Overhead

Fractional Executive£106k/year

1-2 days/week average

Your Potential Savings

£180k+

63%

saved

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Time Allocation

How fractional executives spend their time

Strategy30%

Operations25%

Leadership20%

Governance15%

Technology10%

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How to Hire a Fractional Head of Legal

When to Hire

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Legal spend on external firms is growing unsustainably

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You need strategic legal oversight, not just reactive advice

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Preparing for funding, M&A, or market expansion

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Facing regulatory changes requiring ongoing compliance

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What to Look For

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Qualified solicitor/barrister with in-house experience

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Commercial pragmatism (not just legal perfectionism)

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Sector-relevant regulatory knowledge

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Experience managing external counsel budgets

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Head of Legal Jobs | Services | CLO Jobs

UK Fractional Executive Day Rates

Compare day rates across C-suite roles

CFOThis Role£800 - £1500/day

£1100

CTO£900 - £1600/day

£1200

CMO£750 - £1400/day

£1000

COO£800 - £1400/day

£1050

CDO£900 - £1450/day

£1150

CISO£900 - £1550/day

£1200

Rate Range

Average

Source: UK Market Data 2025

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Fractional vs Interim vs Full-Time

Choose the right engagement model

Aspect	Fractional	Interim	Full-Time
Time Commitment	1-3 days/week	4-5 days/week	5 days/week
Duration	Ongoing/flexible	3-12 months	Permanent
Annual Cost	£50-150k	£150-300k	£200-400k+
Best For	SMEs, startups, scale-ups	Crisis, transitions	Large enterprises
Flexibility	★★★ High	★★☆ Medium	★☆☆ Low

Costs are indicative UK market rates. Actual costs vary by role, experience, and sector.

Calculate Your Day Rate

Fractional CFO Earnings

Calculate Your Potential Income

Your Day Rate

£1,000

£750Avg: £1000£1500

Days Per Client/Week

2.5 days

1 day5 days

Number of Clients

2 clients

Weekly

£5,000

Monthly

£21,650

Annual

£240,000

Based on 2.5 days/week x 2 clients x 48 working weeks. CFO UK average day rate: £1000.

BetaThis calculator provides rough estimates for illustration only. Actual rates and salaries vary based on location, experience, industry, and market conditions.

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