Preparing for the SQE: Understanding Qualifying Work Experience

Mar 19, 2023

Written By Lauren Ainscough

Introduced on 1 September 2021, the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) is the new path to qualifying as a solicitor in England and Wales. As part of this change, candidates are required to undertake ‘Qualifying Work Experience’ (QWE), which involves two years of legal work experience. QWE replaces the LPC/ training contract route that many students will be familiar with. So, what has changed and how can the QWE component be completed?

QWE: what is it?

QWE encompasses any experience in providing legal services that enables candidates the chance to develop some (or all) of the competencies (knowledge, skills, behaviours) that a practising solicitor will have. These competencies are set out by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and span four key areas: ethics, professionalism and judgement; legal practice; people skills; and managing personal workload.

Although candidates are not expected to develop all (18) competencies, it is advisable that they obtain a broad range of experience across the four key areas, not only to aid with SQE2 assessments but also to enhance their future practice as a solicitor.

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How do I meet the requirements?

Candidates pursuing the SQE will need to complete two years of QWE. However, this new system allows candidates greater freedom in selecting when, where and how they obtain the necessary work experience. Candidates are neither required to undertake QWE all at once, nor complete it at a singular establishment.

QWE can be undertaken at a maximum of four different organisations, which need not be a law firm: legal clinics in academic establishments, law centres and in-house legal departments will also satisfy SRA requirements.

Additionally, there is no minimum length of time for placements, which will make it more financially viable for a broader range of (smaller) firms and organisations to offer shorter periods of QWE. QWE can be completed on a part-time basis, opening up the pool for aspiring solicitors who have other commitments.

Under the old system, prospective solicitors were required to complete ‘a period of recognised training’ at one legal employer and rotate through a number of ‘seats’ (essentially different practice areas), one of which had to involve contentious work (disputes occuring between two or more parties).

Under the new system, no such seat rotation is required and candidates are free to choose whether they take on either contentious or non-contentious work (or both). Evidently, the SQE’s QWE component introduces a more flexible approach to qualification: previously many placements would have only added to a candidate’s CV, now they will be sufficient to constitute qualifying work experience for QWE purposes.

When to undertake QWE

QWE need not be completed at a particular point in your qualification. As such, QWE can be undertaken before, during or after SQE assessments. This is in contrast to the older, more linear approach which typically required exams to be completed pre- training contract. Because of the flexibility of QWE, it may even be possible to undertake a placement during your university studies that complies with QWE criteria.

Although no formal timeframe is set, it is useful to remember that SQE2 exams assess practical skills, meaning that the practical knowledge obtained during QWE might help to prepare you for said exams.

Picking QWE placements and where to look

Before selecting QWE placement(s), you must consider what type of lawyer you want to be and at what sort of firm, and then tailor your placement selection accordingly. For example, aspiring corporate solicitors will select very different placements to family law solicitors, for example.

In a similar vein, you should research and consider the experiences and skills that different placements are likely to offer, and how these map onto the 18 competencies/ four key areas described above, in order to get the most out of your QWE.

Most law firms will retain the traditional training contract model, so you may wish to browse various law firms’ websites to see what they have to offer. Additionally, given that a broader range of roles and organisations will fall within QWE’s bounds, you may wish to explore paralegal roles or voluntary/ charitable organisations, for instance.

What’s the point of QWE?

Having looked at all the requirements and technicalities, what can you actually expect to get out of QWE?

The key aim of QWE is to gain experience across the different categories of competencies. Such experience will expose you to the realities of solicitor life and help you to figure out which particular practice areas you are most keen to specialise in once qualified. QWE will signal to future employers that you have obtained a comprehensive and well-rounded training experience, preparing you well for life as a lawyer.

QWE was also introduced in the hope that, with its more flexible approach, it would improve diversity within the solicitor profession and encourage applications from a greater number of individuals, especially from backgrounds currently underrepresented in the law. If you fall within this category, hopefully you'll find that the new QWE approach is better tailored to your needs.

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