The Five Steps most of us need to take to become a solicitor of England and Wales.
There are five specific requirements that most aspiring solicitors of England and Wales will need to meet if they wish to make their dream a reality. I say most because some individuals may not need to meet all requirements because, for example, they are a qualified solicitor in a jurisdiction different to that of England and Wales. However, this and other particularities which may render a person exempt from taking all of the five steps, will not be considered here.
Instead, what is addressed in this article are the five general requirements necessary for qualification as a solicitor of England and Wales. That is, the five steps that most aspiring solicitors need to take if they wish to qualify as a solicitor or England and Wales. Those five steps are as follows:
Step 1: Complete a degree in any subject,(or equivalent qualification or relevant work experience),
Step 2: Pass SQE1- Solicitors Qualifying Exam 1,
Step 3: Pass SQE2- Solicitors Qualifying Exam 2,
Step 4: Complete two years’ qualifying work experience and
Step 5: Meet the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s Character and Suitability requirements.
Step 1: Complete a degree in any subject, (or equivalent qualification or relevant work experience)
The first step all aspiring solicitors must take is gain at least a level 6 qualification in any subject. Level 6 qualifications include, but are not limited to,an honours degree such as a BA or a BSc.
Therefore, if a candidate does not have an honours degree, but has another level 6 qualification, they will satisfy this requirement. Some examples of level 6 qualifications that are not honours degrees are degree apprenticeships and level 6 awards.
Level 7 qualifications are master’s degrees such as an MA and an MSc, or other qualifications that meet the same standard as a master’s degree.
If you are unsure of the level of your highest qualification, please visit the page linked below for a list of UK qualifications and their recognised levels
What qualification levels mean: England, Wales and Northern Ireland - GOV.UK
Step 2: Pass SQE1- Solicitors Qualifying Exam 1
The SQE or the Solicitors Qualifying Exam comprises two parts, SQE1 (Solicitors Qualifying Exam 1) and SQE2 (Solicitors Qualifying Exam 2). You must pass SQE1 before you can sit SQE2.
You do not need to have a degree or a qualification of at least level 6 to be able to sit the SQE.
However, if you want to qualify as a solicitor, completing step 1 is necessary. In most cases, aspiring solicitors will complete step 1 before sitting the SQE.
What does SQE1 test?
SQE1- Solicitors Qualifying Exam1 tests your functioning legal knowledge of 14 subjects- 13 areas of law and ethics and professionalism. Functioning legal knowledge refers to the ability to apply your knowledge of different areas of law to practical situations. The exam tests your ability to do so at the level of a newly qualified and competent solicitor.
To find out more details about this exam, you can read this blog and watch this video.
Step 3- Pass Solicitors Qualifying Exam 2
Once step 2 has been completed, candidates will be able to take step 3. As outlined earlier, this step is not possible without completion of step 2. In other words, if you do not pass SQE1, you cannot sit SQE2.
This examination tests practical written and oral skills that a newly qualified and competent solicitor needs in order to work effectively. There are six skills in total. Four are written skills and two are oral skills.
The written skills are as follows:
Case and Matter Analysis
Legal Research
Legal Writing
Legal Drafting
The oral skills are as follows:
Client interview and attendance note/legal analysis
Advocacy
The skills are tested in the context of different practice areas such as criminal litigation and dispute resolution.
To find out more details about the SQE2 exam, read this blog and watch this video.
Step 4- Complete two years’ qualifying work experience.
To qualify as a solicitor of England and Wales, every aspiring solicitor will need to complete at least 2 years’ Qualifying Work Experience (QWE). QWE does not have to be completed in England and Wales. It can be done overseas and the work undertaken does not have to cover the laws of England and Wales.
However, if it is to be counted as Qualifying Work Experience by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, there are two requirements the work experience must meet.
What counts as Qualifying Work Experience?
Work experience which counts as Qualifying Work Experience meets two clear requirements.
Firstly, the work must meet the definition of legal activity that is outlined in s.12 Legal Services Act 2007 .
Secondly, the role must involve engagement with at least two competencies recognised by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. If the role only allows for demonstration of one competence, it will not count.
To verify if your work experience allows for opportunities to develop competencies recognised by the SRA, please follow this link SRA | Statement of solicitor competence | Solicitors Regulation Authority
How can Qualifying Work Experience be obtained?
Qualifying work experience can be obtained in different contexts and in up to four different organisations.The work you undertake does not have to be paid. Both paid and unpaid work are recognised by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
While this article lists completing QWE as ‘step 4’ (the step which follows completion of SQE assessments), it is important to note that QWE does not have to be gained after you sit the SQE assessments. If you choose to, you can complete your QWE while preparing for the SQE or after sitting the assessments.
Can you backdate your work experience?
Some candidates may have completed QWE prior to completing SQE1 and SQE2. In such cases, if a candidate wishes to use this experience from previous roles to qualify as a solicitor of England and Wales, this may be permissible.
Other questions you may have around QWE may include:
How do I demonstrate and confirm QWE?
How do I register my QWE?
How do I confirm and record Qualifying Work Experience?
You will find answers to these questions on The SRA’s website here SRA | Qualifying work experience | Solicitors Regulation Authority
Step 5- Meet the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s Character and Suitability requirements.
Finally, qualification as a solicitor depends on the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s satisfaction that you are of suitable character for the profession.
Your character is assessed because the authority has a responsibility to protect the public and their interest. It is important that the people they authorise to deliver legal services are seen to be trustworthy and are trusted by the public. The SRA’s assessment of your character and suitability may therefore include investigations of any association with criminal conduct and assessments of other non-criminal conduct such as integrity and financial conduct.
To read more about how the SRA assesses legal professionals’ and aspiring legal professionals’ character and suitability, follow this link SRA | Assessment of Character and Suitability Rules | Solicitors Regulation Authority
Link to this video on YouTube What 5 steps do you need to take to qualify as a solicitor of England and Wales?