Universities and law schools are developing and launching new courses to prepare students for the SQE. There are four things you will need to qualify as a solicitor through the SQE. You must: • have a university degree, or equivalent qualification (lawor non-law) or work experience; • meet the character and suitability requirements set by theSRA (this is the same as the old system); • pass SQE1 andSQE2; and • have two years’ qualifyingwork experience (QWE).
Course content The GDL is an intensive, demanding programme focusing on the seven foundations of legal knowledge, which are: • contract; • tort; • criminal;
• equity and trusts; • EuropeanUnion; • property/land; and • public.
Be aware that this stage of training is widely regarded as extremely difficult. Specific course content is set internally by individual institutions. However, for full-time students, the final examination will normally comprise a three-hour paper in each of the seven core areas. Although you have up to three years to complete the GDL, you will not be allowed to attempt any paper more than three times. Part-time and distance-learning GDL students must complete the course in no more than four years. As an alternative to the GDL, a two-year, senior-status law degree can be studied. After this degree, students go straight on to the appropriate vocational stage of legal training (ie, LPC/SQE or Bar course). A number of UK universities offer senior-status degrees. To check whether your preferred university offers a senior status degree, contact the SRA, as above. Finally, it is worth considering the fact that many institutions teaching both the GDL and LPC will automatically offer you a place on the latter if you successfully complete the former. The Solicitors Qualifying Exam The SQE is a new system of exams provided by Kaplan that will replace the LPC from 2021. All solicitors must pass the SQE in order to qualify. Unlike the GDL and LPC, the new SQE is not a course but a series of exams, which are divided into two stages – SQE1 and SQE2.
SQE assessments SQE1 is known as ‘functioning legal
knowledge’ (FLK) and will be designed to test not only your knowledge of the law, but how you would apply it in real-life situations as a solicitor. There will be two computer- based, multiple-choice assessments, with 180 questions in each one – 360 questions in total. The first part of SQE1 – FLK1 – will cover business law and practice; dispute resolution; contract law; tort; legal system of England and Wales; constitutional and administrative law; and EU law and legal services. FLK2 will cover property practice; wills and the administration of estates; solicitors accounts; land law; trusts; and criminal law and practice. The syllabus for this part of the exam is likely to be similar to the GDL, although there will be a new focus on applying knowledge to real scenarios. SQE2 covers ‘practical legal skills’, consisting all the skills-based elements of the exam involving role play and simulation. SQE2 has been divided into two parts – SQE2 oral and SQE2 written and will be taken over five days. SQE2 oral, which will take place across two half days, will cover interview and attendance note/legal analysis; and advocacy, while SQE2 written, which will take place across three half days, will cover case and matter
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