If you are unclear about the major changes happening in the qualification of solicitors you should watch our new webinar – A Lawyers guide to the SQE.
All senior lawyers need to understand this so they can field questions from juniors about the SQE.
Everyone in law needs to know how different it is!
This month: Do you understand the SQE?
What – is the SQE?
The Solicitor Qualifying Exam (SQE) will replace the Legal Practise Course (LPC).The SQE is intended to further increase flexibility by keeping the current system’s requirement to complete two years’ legal work experience, now referred to as Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) rather than a Training Contract. This makes it possible for volunteering roles and placements through university to count toward the total time required, and, most importantly to law firms, paralegal experience, much like equivalent means. Firms no longer need to ‘grant’ people a training contract, via paralegal work experience, the QWE simply accrues.
Why – Is the LPC being replaced?
According to the SRA, the SQE introduces ‘more reliable and rigorous testing’ of lawyers. The SQE is hoped to increase learning standards while reducing costs and satisfy the requirements to provide flexibility and accessibility for the growing diversity within the legal profession.
How – is the SQE different to the LPC?
The SQE requires students to take two exams, the SQE1 and the SQE2. Students do not need to have a law degree; however it is encouraged that students take preparation courses before attempting the papers. In fact, anyone with a degree can take the exams alongside 24 months of legal work experience to be able to qualify as a solicitor.
Crucially, it is important for firms to understand the impact of the QWE that can run before, during or after the student has taken the SQE exams
The SQE route has the potential to allow trainees to bring in previous experience and grounding in particular areas of law before starting which could be advantageous to some firms.
When – Do you need to be aware of these changes?
Now! Students who started or have completed a law degree or GDL up to September 2021, has until as late as 2032 to complete the LPC and qualify as a solicitor and so firms can still offer the tried and tested training contract route with the pre-requisite LPC qualification. However, recognised course providers may cease to teach the LPC beyond 2023.
Hosted by us and led by Ingemar Hunnings, Ingemar will explain how the SQE works, how the QWE confirmation works and give some indicators on how he believes that this change will affect law firms. There will be a sizeable Q&A session at the end for him to answer your questions.
