The Solicitors Regulation Authority
There’s a requirement for two years’ work experience before admission – qualifying work experience (QWE). However, the SRA recognises a wider range of legal work experience, not just traditional training contracts, but also working as a paralegal or in a student law clinic, provided that the experience gives a candidate the opportunity to develop the competencies required for practice as a solicitor. These are set out in the Statement of Solicitor Competence. More information about the SQE can be found at: www.sra.org.uk/students/sqe/. Qualifying through the ‘traditional’ route Alternatively, under the transitional arrangements you could qualify for admission under the ‘traditional’ route if you’ve already started down this path. This means you must have satisfactorily completed: • the academic stage of training (ie, a QLD, the GDL or the Common Professional Examination (CPE)); and • the vocational stage of training which comprises: • LPC; • a period of recognised training (formerly referred to as ‘training contract’); and • the Professional Skills Course (PSC). Any part of the academic or vocational stages may be met by equivalent means (see www. sra.org.uk/students/resources/equivalent- means-information-pack.page). This is also known as the domestic route to qualification. Alternative routes may be available to those who have CILEX qualifications, or who have already qualified in another jurisdiction. Again, you must also satisfy the SRA that you’re of the right character and suitability to be a solicitor. As part of this, you must undertake screening, which includes a standard disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is the regulator of solicitors and law firms in England and Wales. It works to protect members of the public and support the rule of law and the administration of justice. It does this by overseeing all education and training requirements necessary to practise as a solicitor, licensing individuals and firms to practise, and setting and enforcing high professional standards for the profession.
Further information is available at www.sra.org.uk/students.
In order to practise, all would-be solicitors need to be admitted to the roll. Under current regulations, there are two ways you could be eligible to apply for admission. Solicitors Qualifying Examination The SRA announced in 2017 that it would introduce a new national licensing exam for intending solicitors – the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). The SQE was introduced on 1 September 2021. The SRA believes the SQE will provide a mechanism for all candidates to be assessed on a consistent and fair basis. Under the SQE, the SRA no longer requires aspiring solicitors to take the Qualifying Law Degree (QLD), Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) or Legal Practice Course (LPC). Instead, candidates are free to do the training they need to prepare themselves for the SQE. The SQE consists of two stages. Stage one primarily tests functioning legal knowledge; stage two tests practical legal skills. The SRA doesn’t specify when the tests need to be taken, but it’s likely that many candidates will take SQE stage one at or shortly after they complete their law degree. The SRA anticipates that many candidates will need to complete a substantial period of legal work experience to be able to pass stage two (the skills test).
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