Does a job as a legal assistant count as qualifying work experience?

Jun 04, 2023

Written By Zara Arif

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?

What is qualifying work experience (QWE)?

In order to answer this question we must first understand what QWE is. It forms part of the new route to qualifying as a solicitor in England and Wales and it is hoped that it will allow greater flexibility and variety to students.

Essentially, QWE is two years of full-time or equivalent experience, which must be undertaken in the legal field. This experience can be carried out with up to four organisations during the course of the two years and can even take place abroad. It can be voluntary or paid.

It doesn't matter what organisation you work for or if the role is voluntary, as long as you are working in the legal field. A supervisor (who should be a qualified solicitor of England and Wales) needs to certify that you worked with them, they had no concerns about your suitability for legal life, and that you developed some of the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s key competencies. These include applying critical thinking to solve problems and undertaking legal research.

Does a job as a legal assistant count as QWE?

Therefore, as per the definition above, a role as a legal assistant definitely counts as Qualifying Work Experience.

Depending on how long you do it, it can definitely count towards all or part of your qualifying work experience.

What other jobs count as QWE?

As you can see, the QWE route provides a lot of choice and flexibility. Other roles which also count as qualifying work experience include but are not limited to, working with an NGO or pro-bono unit, working as a paralegal or undertaking a traditional two year training contract with a law firm.

SQE