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Complete Guide To SQE - Law Training Centre

The document provides information about the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) which replaces the Legal Practice Course (LPC) as the path to becoming a solicitor in England and Wales from September 2021. Key differences between the SQE and LPC include that the SQE does not require a law degree, allows for more flexible study options, and has lower costs. The SQE also replaces the competitive training contracts required by the LPC with more flexible Qualifying Work Experience that can be completed in different organizations over a longer period. Additionally, the SQE features standardized assessments set by one provider to ensure consistency, unlike LPC courses.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
6K views26 pages

Complete Guide To SQE - Law Training Centre

The document provides information about the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) which replaces the Legal Practice Course (LPC) as the path to becoming a solicitor in England and Wales from September 2021. Key differences between the SQE and LPC include that the SQE does not require a law degree, allows for more flexible study options, and has lower costs. The SQE also replaces the competitive training contracts required by the LPC with more flexible Qualifying Work Experience that can be completed in different organizations over a longer period. Additionally, the SQE features standardized assessments set by one provider to ensure consistency, unlike LPC courses.

Uploaded by

Legal Cheek
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 26

The complete guide

to the Solicitors Qualifying


Examination (SQE)
The complete guide to the Solicitors Qualifying
Examination (SQE)

2
Contents
What is the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE)? 4
What are the 4 steps of the SQE route to qualifying as a Solicitor? 4
What’s the difference between the SQE and the Legal Practice Course (LPC)?
How do they compare?
6

What is the structure of the SQE1 assessment? 8


What is the structure of the SQE2 assessment? 9
How do I book my assessments? 10
How much does it cost per SQE assessment? 10
What do I do if I need a reasonable adjustment? 11
Do I get resits? 11
Can I still do the LPC? 12
What are the entry requirements for sitting the SQE assessments? 12
What is Qualifying Work Experience (QWE)? 14
How do I get my QWE signed off? 14
What are degree equivalent qualifications? 16
Can I sit the SQE if I have a criminal record? 16
Can I qualify via the SQE route from overseas? 17
What are SQE Prep courses, and do I need to do one? 17
What is Law Training Centre’s SQE1 Prep? 18
I am already studying via the CILEX, CLC (Licensed Conveyancer /
Probate Practitioner) or NALP route. Can I still undertake the SQE and 20
become a solicitor?

I am already qualified as a CILEX Fellow/CILEx Practitioner/Chartered Legal


Executive – what do I have to do to qualify as a Solicitor through the SQE?
22

I am already a qualified lawyer from outside of the UK - what do I have to do


to qualify as a UK Solicitor through the SQE?
23

How do I enrol on Law Training Centre’s SQE1 Prep? 24


The complete guide to the Solicitors Qualifying
Examination (SQE)

What is the Solicitors Qualifying


Exam (SQE)?
From the 1st September 2021, to qualify as a Solicitor in England and Wales you will need to
meet four requirements, with the new SQE being one of these key elements.

The SQE has been developed by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) as a single,
rigorous national licensing examination, which presents the opportunity for greater flexibility
of study methods, less cost, and alternative routes to qualification as a Solicitor with the
removal of the requirement for a training contract.

The SQE will mean that everyone who becomes a Solicitor will meet the same high standards
in a consistent way.

What are the 4 steps of the SQE


route to qualifying as a Solicitor?
From the 1st September 2021, the four requirements you will need to meet in order to qualify
as a solicitor in England and Wales are:
• Have a degree in any subject or equivalent qualification – e.g. a regulated qualification at
Level 6 of the Regulated Qualifications Framework (England, Wales and Northern Ireland)
such as a SQA Level 6 or CILEx Level 6 Diploma.
• Pass both stages of the SQE assessment – SQE1 focuses on legal knowledge and SQE2
on practical legal skills.
• Have two years’ qualifying work experience (QWE).
• Pass the SRA’s character and suitability requirements.

To allow flexibility in how you qualify, the SRA has not yet stated any order in which you must
complete the four requirements. Therefore, you can choose when and how you complete
each part to fit around your own commitments. For example, you can start to develop and
collate your work experience before you sit your SQE assessments, whilst other students
might decide to start the work experience alongside their SQE studies.

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The complete guide to the Solicitors Qualifying
Examination (SQE)

What’s the difference between the


SQE and the Legal Practice Course
(LPC)? How do they compare?
To begin with, we should consider a brief overview of both the SQE and the LPC:
• The LPC is a postgraduate course, open to law graduates with an LLB, Chartered Legal
Executives, those who have completed a Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL), or those who
have completed a Common Professional Examination (CPE) following studies in an
unrelated field.
• The newly introduced SQE replaces both the LPC and the GDL. From 1 September 2021, to
qualify as a Solicitor in England and Wales you will need to meet four requirements, with the
SQE being one of these key elements. The SQE assessment has two stages – SQE1, which
focuses on legal knowledge, and SQE2, which focuses on practical legal skills. You can find
out more about the other three requirements here.

If you are already studying or training to become a Solicitor before the 1 September 2021, you
can continue to qualify through the existing routes, or choose to do the SQE. If you choose to
take the existing route, you will have until 31 December 2032 to qualify as a Solicitor through
that pathway, as long as courses still remain available.

In order to make an informed decision about the pathway that best suits you, it is helpful to
directly contrast the key differences between the SQE and LPC pathways.

1.  You don’t need a degree to do the SQE


The LPC route requires non-LLB holders to complete either an additional GDL or CPE,
however, the SQE allows for a greater deal of flexibility.

The SQE allows learners with a degree in any subject to qualify without the need to
undertake an additional conversion course, therefore opening the door to those with no legal
education background.

However, the SQE also goes one step further, as learners do not need to hold a degree at
all – they can instead qualify by utilising a Level 6 degree-equivalent qualification in any subject.

2.  The SQE is more affordable


The average cost of qualifying via the LPC route is £40,750 – not taking into account living
expenses. Through the SQE route, aspiring Solicitors are not required to complete an LLB, or
even a degree. The ability to utilise a degree equivalent qualification, for example the CLC Level
6 Diploma in Law and Practice, enables learners to qualify via the SQE route from as little as
£15,560, from the beginning of your studies to the point of applying to qualify as a Solicitor.

You can find a more detailed breakdown and comparison of the costs of
qualifying here.

6
3.  Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) vs. training contract

The SQE route requires completion of Qualifying Work Experience (QWE), whereas the LPC
route requires aspiring Solicitors to complete a training contract in order to qualify.

For the year 2019-20, the Law Society revealed that, whilst 20,905 UK students were
accepted to study law at undergraduate level in England and Wales, only 6,344 new training
contracts were registered with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). This illustrates just
how competitive it is to apply for elusive training contracts.

Training contracts are limited two-year placements, normally carried out in a single law firm,
and they see aspiring lawyers progress through at least three areas of work at the law firm
(known as seats). Trainees must complete a contentious and non-contentious seat, and also
undertake a Professional Skills Course (PSC).

In contrast, the SQE QWE requirement is much more flexible. QWE can be completed before,
alongside, or after a candidate’s SQE studies and examinations and needs to equate to two
years full time equivalent.

However, QWE does not need to be one continuous two-year period - it can also be
completed in stages and in up to four different organisations. There are a wide range of
organisations in which QWE can be carried out, including law firms, law clinics, in-house, or
not for profit organisations. The organisation does not need to be registered or regulated by
the SRA, and the work itself can be paid or unpaid.

QWE must be confirmed by a Solicitor, though they do not need to hold a practising
certificate to do so, and in a law firm, it could be the Compliance Officer for Legal Practice
(COLP) who signs off on your QWE. Individuals can also choose to complete a traditional
training contract if they still wish to – this will count as QWE. You can find out more about
QWE in our online guide.

4.  The SQE is standardised

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) competence statement sets out the rules that Solicitors
should follow and provides everyone with clear guidance of what to expect from a Solicitor.
This is what the SQE assessments tests. Whilst most LPCs are quite similar, the SQE ensures a
standardised assessment. Every applicant must pass the same rigorous assessment in order to
qualify, as the exams are regulated by SRA, and are set by one provider (Kaplan). This means that
the exams’ content and/or difficulty does not vary from provider to provider, which was formally
the case with the LPC.

5.  The LPC aims to bridge the gap between theory and practice – the SQE assesses both

As mentioned above, the LPC is a course which is designed to be taken following completion
of your LLB or GDL/CPE to bridge the gap between legal theory and legal practice prior to, or
alongside, the completion of a training contract. The SQE, however, is a means of assessing
both your functioning legal knowledge and your ability to apply this knowledge in practice
assessed at the level of a newly qualified solicitor. Alongside the completion of qualifying work
experience, there are SQE Prep courses which are designed to prepare learners for the SQE
by equipping them with the knowledge and skills they need to sit the SQE assessments. Find
out more about Law Training Centre’s SQE1 Prep and SQE2 Prep courses.

The Legal Practice Course (LPC) is a postgraduate course, open to law graduates with
an LLB, those who have completed a Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL), or those who have
completed a Common Professional Examination (CPE) following studies in an unrelated field.

7
The complete guide to the Solicitors Qualifying
Examination (SQE)

What is the structure of


the SQE1 assessment?
The SQE is split into two assessments - SQE1 and SQE2.

SQE1 tests Functioning Legal Knowledge (FLK), across 10 hours of SQE1 assessment. This
includes two exams (Functioning Legal Knowledge assessment 1 and Functioning Legal
Knowledge assessment 2) that are single best answer multiple choice assessments. There
are 180 questions per assessment.

The two SQE1 Functioning Legal Knowledge (FLK) assessments comprise the following
subject areas:

• FLK1
> Business Law and Practice
> Dispute Resolution
> Contract Law
> Tort Law
> Legal System of England and Wales
> Constitutional and Administrative Law and EU Law and Legal Services

• FLK2
> Property Practice
> Wills and the Administration of Estates
> Solicitors Accounts
> Land Law
> Trusts Law
> Criminal Law and Practice

The exams will be available to take across a wide geographic area at Pearson VUE test
centres and each Functioning Legal Knowledge assessment is taken on a separate day.

In order to pass SQE1, you must achieve the overall pass mark for both FLK1 and FLK2. You
will not pass SQE1 if you fail either FLK1 or FLK2.

8
What is the structure of the
SQE2 assessment?
The SQE is split into two assessments - SQE1 and SQE2.

The SQE2 assesses practical legal skills across two parts: oral assessments and written
assessments. The assessments take place over five days: SQE2 oral assessments over two
half days and SQE2 written assessments over three half-days, with a total of 12 written legal
skills assessments.

Ethics and Professional Conduct are assessed throughout, with the assessments focussing
on the following six skills:
• Client Interview and Attendance Note/Legal Analysis
• Advocacy
• Case and Matter analysis
• Legal Research
• Legal Writing
• Legal Drafting

The practice areas in which these legal skills are assessed are:
• Criminal Litigation
• Dispute Resolution
• Property Practice
• Wills and Intestacy, Probate Administration and Practice
• Business organisations rules and procedures

9
The complete guide to the Solicitors Qualifying
Examination (SQE)

How do I book my assessments?


To sit any of the assessments you will need to register with the SRA - this involves creating
an account, activating it, and logging in. To complete registration you will also need to verify
your identity.

The SRA will publish assessment dates approximately 12 months before each assessment.
They will also publicise when the booking window for each assessment opens, and email
when booking is open for an assessment.

The SRA requires you to complete three pre-booking steps. This must be done ahead of
booking each assessment but you do not have to wait until the booking window opens to do
them. They include:
• completing a diversity survey
• telling the SRA about exemptions you have, and
• requesting reasonable adjustments (if any) you need to sit your assessments

When a booking window opens, you can:


• Log into your SRA SQE account and see what assessments are available for you. You will
only be shown the ones you are able to sit.
• You must pay when you book your assessment.

There are a limited number of places available for each assessment. They will be assigned
on a first come first served basis. If the test centre you choose is fully booked you will need
to choose an alternative centre, though it is possible to reschedule your test centre at a
later date if your preferred location becomes available. This can be done in the assessment
bookings section of your SRA SQE account.

How much does it cost per


SQE assessment?
The total fee to take both SQE assessments will be a £3,980, which will cover:
• SQE1 - with a fee of £1,558 for the two examinations.
• SQE2 - with a fee of £2,422 for the written and oral tasks.

10
What do I do if I need a
reasonable adjustment?
The SRA are committed to making sure that a candidate is not disadvantaged by reason of
a disability in demonstrating their competence and welcome applications for reasonable
adjustments from candidates with disabilities or other conditions.

Adjustments will be made on a case-by-case basis, in line with the SRA’s Reasonable
Adjustments Policy and the supporting evidence you provide.

You must request any reasonable adjustments before you book each assessment, and
the SRA recommend providing as much notice as possible. You can request reasonable
adjustments during the pre-booking steps via your SQE account, where you will be asked to
complete and submit a reasonable adjustment request form, and provide evidence.

Do I get resits?
You will only be allowed three attempts at SQE1 and three attempts at SQE2. These have to
be taken within six years from the first attempt of an SQE assessment. The clock starts from
the first day of the first assessment you sit.

11
The complete guide to the Solicitors Qualifying
Examination (SQE)

Can I still do the LPC?


If you have not started your degree or training by the 1 September 2021, you cannot qualify
by the LPC route and you’ll need to take the SQE route.

Someone already studying or training can continue to qualify through the existing routes, or
choose to do the SQE. This includes anyone who, before 1 September 2021, has completed,
started, accepted an offer of a place or paid a non-refundable deposit for one of the following:
• the Common Professional Examination / Graduate Diploma in Law (CPE)
• the Legal Practice Course
• a period of recognised training (also known as a training contract)

Anyone who falls within this group will have until 31 December 2032 to qualify as a Solicitor
under the existing routes, as long as courses still remain available.

What are the entry requirements for


sitting the SQE assessments?
There are no entry requirements for you to sit the SQE1 assessment. However, to sit SQE2
you must have passed SQE1. As the SQE is a high stakes assessment, with a limit of three
attempts in a six-year period, Law Training Centre strongly advise that candidates undergo
SQE preparation in advance of sitting the SQE assessments.

When you apply for admission as a Solicitor, you will need to have achieved all four of the
requirements of the SQE pathway - Having a degree/degree equivalent, passing SQE1 and
SQE2, have 2 years QWE, and passing the SRA’s character and suitability requirements.

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The complete guide to the Solicitors Qualifying
Examination (SQE)

What is Qualifying Work


Experience (QWE)?
To qualify as a Solicitor via the SQE pathway, individuals will need to complete 2 years
full-time Qualifying Work Experience (QWE). This requirement is designed to provide
experience in the real-life complexities and ethical scenarios that arise during the course of
working as a solicitor.

QWE can be completed before, alongside or after a candidate’s SQE studies and
examinations, and is intended to offer greater flexibility than the traditional training contract
it replaces, which can be seen to have historically created a substantial bottleneck for those
seeking to qualify as a Solicitor.

QWE is classed as any experience of providing legal services that offers you the opportunity
to develop some, or all, of the competences needed to practise as a Solicitor, and can be
paid or unpaid work.

QWE can be obtained within a law firm, or any other organisation that provides legal services
in England, Wales, or overseas. It can be gained in one block of time or in stages – so long as
it is in no more than four organisations in total.

How do I get my QWE signed off?


Qualifying work experience must be confirmed by one of the following:
• the Compliance Officer for Legal Practice (COLP) - if the organisation has one
• a Solicitor of England and Wales in the organisation
• another nominated Solicitor of England and Wales outside the organisation but with direct
knowledge of the candidate’s work

The Solicitor does not have to hold a Practising Certificate. It cannot be a Barrister of
England and Wales unless they are also a Solicitor. It also cannot be a foreign qualified
lawyer, unless they are also a Solicitor of England and Wales.

For each placement, the following must be confirmed:


• the details of the work experience carried out
• that it provided the opportunity to develop some or all of the prescribed competences
for Solicitors
• that no issues arose during the work experience that might raise questions over the
candidate’s character and suitability to be admitted as a solicitor.

The Solicitor confirming the QWE is not deciding whether the individual has met the
prescribed competences for Solicitors, as the SQE examination itself assesses whether
these standards are met.

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The complete guide to the Solicitors Qualifying
Examination (SQE)

What are degree


equivalent qualifications?
According to the SRA, degree equivalent qualifications include:
• An accredited qualification at level 6 (or above) of the Framework for Higher Education
Qualifications, awarded by recognised degree-awarding body
• A regulated qualification at level 6 (or above) of the Regulated Qualifications Framework
(England, Wales and Northern Ireland)
• An apprenticeship at level 6 or above, approved by the government departments of
England, Wales or Northern Ireland
• A qualification or apprenticeship at level 9 or above of the Scottish Credit and
Qualifications Framework, accredited by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) or
awarded by a Scottish degree awarding body
• An accredited qualification at level 6 (or above) of the European Qualifications Framework

Can I sit the SQE if I have


a criminal record?
As part of the process to qualify as a Solicitor, the SRA will take into account the person’s
character and suitability for the profession.

Training providers cannot advise on criminal record matters and it is important you contact the
SRA to seek guidance.

Character and suitability are formally reviewed when you apply to be a solicitor, however, if you
would like to check any potential problems before then, you can complete an early Character
and Suitability Assessment at any time. This costs £39 – you can find out more here.

16
Can I qualify via the SQE route
from overseas?
Yes - the degree or degree equivalent requirement of the SQE pathway can be fulfilled
utilising qualifications from overseas. Overseas qualifications need to be shown to be
equivalent to either a UK degree/equivalent qualification through a UK NARIC Statement
of Comparability, or be an accredited qualification at level 6 (or above) of the European
Qualifications Framework.

Learners can study for their SQE assessments through Law Training Centre’s online
SQE Prep courses from anywhere in the world.

SQE1 and SQE2 written assessments can be taken at Pearson VUE test centres in the UK
and internationally. If you would like to sit your assessment outside of the UK, you should
check the timing of your assessment when you book as there will be varied start times
for assessments held in international centres. The SQE2 oral assessments, however, are
currently only available in Cardiff, London, and Manchester within the UK, although the SRA
has announced that there will be more locations to choose from in the future.

The QWE requirement can also be met through experience obtained within a law firm, or
any other organisation that provides legal services, overseas. You will, however, need your
QWE to be signed off by a Solicitor of England and Wales – this cannot be done by a foreign
qualified lawyer, unless they are also a Solicitor of England and Wales.

What are SQE Prep courses,


and do I need to do one?
As the SQE is a high stakes assessment, with a limit of three attempts in a six-year period, it is
advisable that candidates undergo SQE preparation – regardless of their starting point.

SQE Prep courses are offered by various training providers and range from light refresher
courses aimed at individuals with highly developed existing experience and knowledge of the
legal sector, to in depth courses with an increased level of support, aimed at anyone at any
starting point.

You can find out more about why you should consider an SQE Prep Course for success here.

17
The complete guide to the Solicitors Qualifying
Examination (SQE)

What is Law Training Centre’s


SQE1 Prep?
Law Training Centre’s SQE1 Prep is structured to prepare learners for sitting the SQE1
assessments, Functioning Legal Knowledge 1 (SQE1 FLK1) and Functioning Legal Knowledge
2 (SQE1 FLK2), by providing course materials that align with the SQE1 assessment objectives
as set by the SRA.

The SQE1 Prep is open to learners from any academic background, and a knowledge of the
law is not a pre-requisite to study this course.

Learners who have an existing knowledge of the law from other courses, e.g. CILEx, CLC,
NALP, LPC, degree or other equivalent qualifications, will be more familiar with the legal
principles tested. For those learners, the SQE1 prep will build on their existing knowledge and
further develop the skills required specifically for the SQE.

As the SQE does not require a law qualification for entry, the course is designed not only for
those who have an existing knowledge but also those who are studying law for the first time.
A foundations course is included as part of the SQE1 Prep to provide an introduction to law
and legal writing.

Law Training Centre’s SQE1 Prep includes as standard:


• Extensive learning materials in the form of a responsive e-learning platform, targeted
recorded video lectures for key topics, concise written materials, flashcards, and revision
materials (online and downloadable).
• A 1:1 Personal Academic Coach to support you to stay on track not only providing academic
support but also pastoral care, careers guidance, CV advice, and guidance on how to
balance studies and work life.
• Access to Thomson Reuters Practical Law, the leading online legal knowhow service as used
by 130,000 lawyers worldwide. This includes a range of resources including practice notes,
current awareness, checklists, standard documents and a unique ‘Ask-Legal Query’ service.
• Recognising that this is a high stakes assessment, SQE1 Prep by Law Training Centre fees
include the exclusive Passplus Guarantee. This guarantees students’ course access and
support for one additional attempt, should they need it.
• Two pre-scheduled ‘live workshops’ per month, with subject matter specialists covering
SQE1 key topics. The Video Library of previous workshops will be available to review past
sessions, meaning no matter when you start, you will have access to previous workshops.
• Access to the Law Trove e-book collection by Oxford University Press, giving you access
to 200 current law and practice-based books. Whether you are a recent law graduate, new
to the profession or wish to refresh previous legal knowledge, you will have the background
reading you need to prepare with confidence.
• 15 months SQE1 course access as standard.
• Mock exam papers - each SQE1 module has an extensive bank of mock exam questions
that you can use to test your knowledge and practice the skills needed for this type of
assessment. MCTs are built into the SQE1 Prep course materials and workshops to further
enhance your skills.

18
Law Training Centre’s SQE1 Prep allows learners to enrol at any time, and is entirely
self-paced – with 15 months course access providing you with the flexibility to decide on the
sitting date that will be best for you, whilst also considering the registration window ahead of
the exam.

The cost of our SQE1 Prep Course is £2,890.00. We regularly provide further offers or
concessions, so please contact us to find out more about any discounts that may be available
upon your enrolment.

19
The complete guide to the Solicitors Qualifying
Examination (SQE)

I am already studying via the CILEX,


CLC (Licensed Conveyancer /
Probate Practitioner) or NALP route.
Can I still undertake the SQE and
become a solicitor?
Yes, you can – the details of how you are able to do this will depend on what qualification you
are already working towards. For example, a CILEX or CLC Level 6 Diploma may meet the
‘degree equivalent’ requirement to qualify as a solicitor.

You can contact Law Training Centre to speak to a member of our team who will happily
discuss your options and help you find the best pathway for you.

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The complete guide to the Solicitors Qualifying
Examination (SQE)

I am already qualified as a CILEX


Fellow/CILEx Practitioner/Chartered
Legal Executive – what do I have to
do to qualify as a Solicitor through
the SQE?
As a CILEx Practitioner or Chartered Legal Executive (CILEx Fellow), the SRA have
recognised the existing CILEx studies and experience you have obtained. The SRA have
therefore confirmed that you will be exempt from two of the four requirements of SQE.

1. Level 6 qualifications, including the CILEx Level 6 Diploma in Law and Practice, are
equivalent to a degree for the purposes of the SQE. Therefore, any CILEx member who
has completed their Level 6 qualification will already have achieved this requirement, and
do not need to apply to confirm this equivalence - you just need to submit details to the
SRA when you apply for your admission as a Solicitor.

2.  CILEx Practitioners who have completed the CILEX required 5 years working in the legal
sector with 2 years in their specialist area, or Chartered Legal Executives Fellows who
have completed their period of 3 years Qualifying Employment and Work Based Learning
Portfolio, are not required to complete 2 years’ qualifying work experience, as the SRA will
recognise your existing qualification and the experience that you will have needed in order
to achieve that qualification.

Therefore, CILEx Practitioners or Chartered Legal Executives will only be required to pass
the SQE1 and SQE2 assessments and meet the SRA’s character and suitability requirements
in order to Qualify through
qualify as a Solicitor SQEandas
in England a
Wales.
CILEx practitioner or CILEx Fellow
Qualify through SQE as a CILEx
practitioner or CILEx fellow Qualified
Solicitor

Character
and suitability
assessment
Qualifying
Work Experience

SQE1 and
SQE2

Degree or
equivalent

CILEx practitioner
or CILEx Fellow
(Chartered Legal
Executive)

22
I am already a qualified lawyer from
outside of the UK - what do I have
to do to qualify as a UK Solicitor
through the SQE?
The SRA have confirmed that ALL qualified Lawyers, from ALL jurisdictions, are exempt from
the two years’ QWE requirement. This removes one of the four steps required for qualification,
as well as verifying that foreign lawyers no longer need to be within a recognised jurisdiction –
unlike the legacy QLTS route to cross-qualification.

Given that it is highly likely foreign qualified Lawyers will also already hold a qualification that
meets the requirements to be considered a degree or equivalent, foreign qualified lawyers
could look to become dual qualified as a Solicitor of England and Wales by simply passing the
SQE assessments and meeting the SRA’s character and suitability requirements – reducing the
four-stage process down to two.
Qualify through SQE
as a foreign qualified lawyer
Qualify through SQE as a
foreign qualified lawyer Qualified
Solicitor of
England
and Wales

Character
and suitability
assessment
Qualifying
Work Experience

SQE1 and
SQE2

Degree or
equivalent

Foreign qualified
lawyer from any
jurisdiction

23
The complete guide to the Solicitors Qualifying
Examination (SQE)

How do I enrol on Law Training


Centre’s SQE1 Prep?
We accept applications throughout the year so that learners can start studying when it suits
them most. You can request an enrolment form from our website. Once completed, you will
receive the form directly to the email address you provide.

Please fill in the enrolment form and return it to [email protected]. To ensure your
enrolment is processed as quickly as possible, please make sure that you read the form
carefully, and fill out all the required boxes.

If you need any help or have any questions, our Student Services Team is there to assist you
on 0330 088 8495 or [email protected].

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25
Find out more
T:  0330 088 8495
E:  [email protected]
www.ltckent.co.uk

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