The Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) is a new postgraduate law course that will be introduced by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) over the next few years. It will replace the LPC and GDL courses, and will be a “super-exam” for graduates seeking to qualify as solicitors. There are a few things to be aware of when it comes to the SQE - have a read of our advice about it in this section.
Becoming a solicitor in the United Kingdom is a path filled with rigorous academic and professional challenges, and at the heart of this journey is the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). The SQE is a pivotal assessment for individuals seeking to enter the legal profession, and it comprises multiple components, one of which is SQE2. This article aims to provide a comprehensive examination of the SQE2, shedding light on its purpose, structure, and how to prepare effectively.
According to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), all candidates looking to qualify through the SQE route will need to complete two years full time (or equivalent) qualifying work experience (QWE). QWE can be any type of legal work: paralegal work, law clinic work, volunteering and work placements. But, once you have completed QWE, how do you document it?
To help you prepare for the new SQE exams, a number of law firms are offering preparation courses. These allow you to learn more about what the exam involves, and gain access to valuable study resources. Although the courses are useful, they’re not for everyone, as this article will explain.
If you are worried about the SQE1 exams, it’s important to remember that you can resit them if you fail. However, there are limits as to how many times you can resit.
For many people, their work commitments, caring responsibilities or any other factors may mean that studying an in-person SQE course may not be the best option for their lifestyle. Thankfully, there are opportunities to study the SQE online, making the qualifications required to pursue a legal career more accessible to all.
As we transition to the SQE being the centralised route to qualifying as a solicitor, many students have questions regarding the options which they have for their career. Is the SQE a flexible route to qualification - does it allow for part-time study and how long does this actually take? This article will answer these questions and more.
Taking the SQE is by no means cheap, especially if you are self-funding it. Thus, you may want to know whether it is possible to work at the same time. Whatever the reason, working alongside your studies is a viable option, with many potential benefits.
One fear that many have about the new SQE qualifying route is that it is made up of exams, and many people naturally struggle with test-taking. If you are in this position, you may be wondering if it is possible to fail the SQE and what happens in this scenario.
Despite SQE being a necessary part of your journey to qualifying as a solicitor in England and Wales, it is not offered for free. Therefore, it is important to consider the methods that will work best for you to cover these costs. Luckily, there are several options that can be used either separately or alongside with each other to alleviate some of the cost.
The Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) is a high stakes exam, where its success or failure will ultimately make or break your career plans of becoming a qualified solicitor in England and Wales.
Becoming a solicitor through the new SQE requires four elements. A degree or equivalent, passing the SQE1 and SQE2 exams, completing two years qualifying work experience (QWE) and meeting the character and suitability requirements . This new route makes the pathway into becoming a solicitor more accessible than the LPC route, which required you to obtain a training contract.
SQE2 is the final set of exams you need to complete on your journey to becoming a solicitor. Once you pass the exam, you can apply to be admitted to the roll of solicitors. However, you may be surprised to know you do not have to carry out your training contract or work experience before the SQE2.
One of the main benefits of the new SQE route to qualification is that you no longer need to do a training contract. Previously, you would need to have applied for training contracts two years before if you were studying law, or three years if you are a non-law student. Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) is extremely flexible, so it can be completed anytime before you apply for qualification as a solicitor.
The SQE (Solicitors Qualifying Examination) consists of four main elements. These include: holding an undergraduate degree or equivalent in any subject. passing the exams SQE1 and SQE2, completing two years of qualifying work experience (QWE) and the character and suitability assessment. Unlike the LPC however, QWE doesn’t need to be a training contract.
With the introduction of the SQE (Solicitors Qualifying Exams) and QWE (Qualifying Work Experience), there is much greater flexibility in the way students can now qualify as solicitors in England and Wales. However, as we are still getting used to this novel route to qualification, many students still have questions. So, does a job as a legal assistant count as qualifying work experience?
The introduction of the SQE has meant that there are now multiple routes to qualifying as a solicitor. While this has certainly meant more options for aspiring solicitors, what does this mean for the training contract, and does it count as part of the new ‘Qualifying Work Experience’ requirement?
The framework of the new Solicitor’s Qualification Examination (SQE) has been designed to allow candidates flexibility and autonomy when choosing how to qualify as a solicitor, as many different roles, jobs and experiences qualify as QWE. Among the various roles in which you can choose to use as QWE, a common option is working as a paralegal.
The replacement of the training contract requirements with Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) as part of the Solicitors Qualifying Exam means that becoming a solicitor is now becoming more accessible. QWE can be any sort of legal work, regardless of whether it is paid or voluntary work.
The change from the LPC to the SQE has left many students wondering what their final year of law studies might look like. But, how difficult really is the SQE? The SQE exams are made up of two core assessments: SQE1 and SQE2. Their content is outlined below: