When will my character and suitability be assessed for the SQE?

Feb 06, 2024

Written By Helena Kudiabor

To ensure that the public can be confident that their lawyers are suitable for the job, you’ll need to complete a screening process before you can qualify as a lawyer. In this article, you’ll find out about when you’ll begin the screening process, what it involves, and what to do if you have a criminal record.

What does character and suitability mean?

The screening process is carried out by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), who support those looking to qualify as a solicitor. The SRA treats your integrity to be a solicitor as seriously as they consider your knowledge and skills.

Solicitors have a need to ‘maintain public trust and confidence in the solicitors’ profession,’ so having a solicitor with a long criminal history may lead to questions about their integrity.

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What does character and suitability mean?

Solicitors have a need to ‘maintain public trust and confidence in the solicitors’ profession,’ so having a solicitor with a long criminal history may lead to questions about their integrity.

When will I complete the screening process?

You won’t need to complete the screening process at the start of your studying, training or qualifying work experience. Instead, the SRA recommends that you apply for screening when you are ready to apply for admission to the roll of solicitors. This means you know the outcome of your SQE exams and have completed all of your qualifying work experience.

However, if you’re worried you may not pass the screening process, you can complete an early assessment at any time. Although it’s important to bear in mind that the SRA are not bound by any decision they make at this early stage.

What does the screening process involve?

The first stage is to complete a form, which asks you about your personal details and whether you’ve committed a crime in the past. Screening is carried out by Atlantic Data and includes the following checks: identity; financial, bankruptcy, insolvency and county court judgements; and standard criminal records check issued by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

If you’ve lived outside of England for over a year during the last five years, you’ll also need to provide an official criminal record check from that country. If the screening process picks up any issues but your application is still approved, you’ll need to upload a certificate from Atlantic Data confirming this.

If the screening brings up no issues, your application will be automatically approved.

Am I automatically ineligible to become a solicitor if you have a criminal record?

You are not automatically ineligible, but committing more serious crimes will hurt your application. The SRA states that certain crimes (including violence, terrorism or multiple offences) are the most serious and are most likely to result in a refusal.

However, you can boost your chances of the application being successful by: providing evidence of successful rehabilitation or remorse, credible supporting references and being upfront and disclosing your conviction.

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