Jun 17, 2021

Written By Becky Kells

The SQE: what we know so far

Jun 17, 2021

Written By Becky Kells

The Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) is a course that has, at times, prompted more questions than answers. What is it? When will it be introduced? And what about all of the LPC and GDL students out there? Until the SQE launches, we’ll be bringing you all of the SQE updates, as and when they happen—so keep an eye on this page.

What is the SQE?

Coming in autumn 2021, the SQE will be a reformed method of qualifying as a solicitor in England and Wales. The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has been cooking this since 2015—and it’s almost ready to go.

The SQE will be adjudicated and assessed by Kaplan.

When will the SQE be introduced?

The SQE will be introduced in September 2021 at the earliest. There is no confirmed date, and this start month is not set in stone. The SQE delivery has been delayed before—so bear in mind that it could be delayed again.

When will the LPC and GDL be replaced?

There will be a lengthy transition period during which the LPC and GDL will run alongside the SQE for a number of years. In fact, anyone who starts their legal studies before the SQE comes into play will be able to complete them via the old method up until 2032. They will also be able to switch to the SQE if they so wish.

So how is it different?

The best way to understand how the SQE is different is to look at the existing method of qualifying as a solicitor, and then compare it to what the SRA has proposed.

At the moment, the pathways for law graduates and non-law graduates are different. If you have an LLB or some other form of qualifying law degree, you need to do the LPC, followed by a two-year training contract. If you don’t have a qualifying law degree, you’ll need to do the GDL, followed by the LPC and a two-year training contract, before qualifying as a solicitor.

Under the new system, everyone must have a degree-level qualification or equivalent. It doesn’t matter what subject you’ve studied, but having some background in law will help you to complete the SQE.

After completing your degree, you’ll do the first component of the SQE—SQE1. You’ll need to pass this before moving on to the second component—SQE2. Everyone needs to do these two modules, regardless of what they’ve studied before.

It’s also a requirement to have a minimum of two years of qualifying work experience (QWE). This differs from a training contract—and the current method of qualification—in a number of ways.

- QWE can be completed before, during or after the SQE assessments

- QWE can include pro bono work

- QWE can be obtained with up to four different employers.

So far, the SRA has said that QWE could be made up of law-degree-integrated placements, vacation schemes, student law clinic roles, Citizens Advice work, paralegal work and training contracts—so long as it is a minimum of two years and comprises no more than four different placements.

At present, the SRA recognises the LPC and the GDL as well as the SQE. There’s a slight difference in how they work, though.

The LPC and GDL are courses—the SRA determines what competencies need to be assessed, but law schools are responsible for designing courses that fit those competencies.

The SQE, on the other hand, is an exam. The SRA will set the exams and all students will sit the same exams.

It will be highly beneficial for students to study law and legal practice to prepare for the SQE. Providers are already designing courses that will give students from a non-law background the grounding to do these exams.

There’s no change in the fact that would-be solicitors need to pass the character and suitability assessment set by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

Who can sit the SQE?

To sit the SQE, you need to have done an undergraduate degree or equivalent. You are not limited to a specific subject area and the SRA has not factored in any exemptions for students who have done a law degree in the past.

The SQE is specifically designed for aspiring solicitors—so it wouldn’t be beneficial, for example, to sit the SQE if you want to be a barrister or study law in an academic rather than a practical context.

What is the structure of the SQE?

There are two components to the SQE: SQE 1 and SQE 2.

SQE 1 will consist of six multiple-choice exams on legal knowledge and practice. There will also be one online skills assessment that will be written. The SRA has indicated that all exams will be carried out on a computer, and must be completed in the same time period—so no spreading the exams out over months or years.

Topics will include:

- substantive and procedural law and cover core subjects currently taught on LLB and LPC courses;

- application of fundamental legal principles;

- legal research and writing skills.

SQE 2 will be ten skills assessments, designed to test skills of a practical nature, such as interviewing and legal drafting. Some assessments will take the form of role plays while others will be computer-based. Students will either be able to take all ten assessments at once or split the assessments into two groups of five.

Topics will include:

- client interviewing;

- advocacy;

- case and matter analysis;

- legal research and written advice;

- legal drafting.

SQE fees and funding

We don’t have an exact figure of what the SQE will cost just yet. However, the future looks to be more affordable, with the SRA saying that the SQE will be less expensive than the LPC.

Specifically, the SRA estimates that the SQE, in total, will cost between £3,000 and £4,500, with SQE 1 costing between £1,100 and £1,650 and SQE 2 coming in between £1,900 and £2,850.

As you can tell by the range, these are not set in stone. The SRA also says that the cost could end up being inside or outside of this range.

SQE: what do I need to do?

At the moment, not much. You’ve made it this far through the article, which means you’ve got a good grounding in what’s going on with the SQE at the moment. All you can do is keep an eye out for updates.

Law students and aspiring solicitors do not currently need to do anything about the SQE. There are different actions that you might need to take closer to the time of the SQE’s introduction, though. These vary depending on what courses you’re doing or are planning to do.

If you start an LLB or GDL before September 2021, you can decide to qualify under the old method (the LPC) up until 2032. You can choose to do the SQE if you want to, though.

If you start an LLB or GDL from September 2021, you will do the SQE.

Check out our dedicated website for more updates on the SQE, as and when they come!

SQE