SQE given tentative approval by LSB

The Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) has been given a tentative approval by the Legal Services Board (LSB). After a collective of legal professionals and academics put pressure on the LSB to reject the SQE, today it said that there were “no grounds” to reject the SRA’s application.

The news comes after a spectrum of professionals across the legal sector spoke out in disapproval of the SQE, and called upon the LSB to reject it.  

However, the pressure is not entirely over for the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), as it must apply for approval of various rule changes that will come with the new super-exam.

Much of the criticism about the SQE was centred around the “equivalent means” component, which will give those who have relevant law experience - not necessarily a degree - to take the exam. This would open up the legal field to legal professionals such as paralegals.

The LSB said that it  “did not consider that there was sufficient evidence of any likely detriment to the regulatory objectives resulting from removing the requirement to complete academic study of law”.

However, it did say: “The SRA will need to make and we will need to approve further rules changes to give effect to the requirement to pass a centralised exam.

“When considering these further rules and deciding whether to agree with them, the LSB will expect to see more detail from the SRA – particularly on how the SQE will operate, what it will cost and the likely diversity impacts.”

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