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Hi there, (1) with a law degree alone you will not be able to qualify as a solicitor in England/Wales. You will need to go through the SQE route. Please refer to this page: www.sra.org.uk/become-solicitor/legal-practice-course-route/qualifying-law-degree-common-professional-examination/qualifying-law-degree-providers/ (2) Regarding this, please refer to relevant authority in the US as we do not cover US legal education.

Working as a legal secretary can count as QWE only if your role involves substantive legal work (e.g., legal research, drafting, client interaction) and is supervised by a solicitor. Purely administrative tasks won't qualify. Ensure your duties align with the SRA's competencies and have your supervisor confirm your experience. I hope this helps.

That is very encouraging to hear! I am glad you start a new journey in legal practice!

Please refer to SRA's website for most up to date information on this: sqe.sra.org.uk

To sit the SQE exam, you do not necessarily need an undergraduate degree or any degree, but you must have a degree, an equivalent qualification or work experience to qualify as a solicitor after passing the SQE. However, for the Bar Professional Training Course, an undergraduate degree is typically required, usually in law or with a law conversion course.

Hi @TonyBroxter, These are very interesting questions. We might release comprehensive guide on this topic in the future. The impact of obtaining a training contract is significant as it serves as one of the final steps towards qualifying as a solicitor under the traditional route, and it remains relevant under the SQE as Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) can fulfil the same purpose. I am answering your questions here: A) Are you allowed to end the contract if you decide you no longer want to be a solicitor? Yes, you are allowed to end a training contract if you decide you no longer want to become a solicitor. However, breaking the contract might have financial or reputational implications, depending on your agreement with the firm. Additionally, firms typically invest considerable resources in trainee solicitors, so it’s a decision worth considering carefully. B) Do students have to apply to specific firms based on their law specialities? Yes, different law firms often specialise in specific areas of law, such as corporate, criminal, family, or intellectual property law. When applying for training contracts, it’s important to research a firm’s practice areas to ensure alignment with your career interests. While generalist firms exist, many students target firms with expertise in the areas they are passionate about. C) After finishing the training contract, are you tied to that firm, or can you leave? Would other firms accept you as a newly qualified solicitor (NQ)? You are not tied to the firm where you completed your training contract. After qualifying, you are free to explore opportunities with other firms or even in-house legal roles. Many firms are open to hiring newly qualified solicitors (NQs) who trained elsewhere, especially if their experience aligns with the firm’s practice areas. However, transitioning to a new firm might require demonstrating how your training and skills are transferable. I hope this helps. If you are in the process of preparing for the SQE, check out our mini mock exams here: futuresolicitor.co.uk/exams/

Hi there, the SQE1 primarily tests legal knowledge through multiple-choice questions on core subjects like tort, contract, and land law (it is broken down to two parts FLK1 and FLK2). Logical skills help, but a strong understanding of legal principles is crucial. It’s possible to pass SQE1 before completing a degree by studying effectively through structured prep courses like ours, allowing candidates to speed up the process. For SQE2, there’s no requirement to have completed a degree to sit the exam. However, to qualify as a solicitor, you must have a degree (or equivalent) alongside passing the SQE and completing the necessary work experience. Source: www.sra.org.uk/become-solicitor/sqe/qa/

@ thanks for all of your help. I just have one more question: If I complete the SQE (both parts) and then don’t do anything with law for 10 years, can I still practice law if I have already been admitted as a solicitor or if not, can I go straight onto the Qualified Work Experience Programme? This is asked as I saw somewhere about how you need to do the SQE in 6 years so what if more than 6 years pass after you complete it, do you need to retake it to refresh your legal knowledge?

@@MadgiaCrawcett Once you’re admitted as a solicitor, you don’t need to retake the SQE, even after a long break. However, the SRA may require you to demonstrate competence, such as through CPD, if you’ve been out of practice for years. The 6-year rule only applies to completing both parts of the SQE and your QWE before admission as a solicitor. I hope this helps. 😊

Hi there, you do not need to have secured your degree before sitting for the exam, but you need to have a degree in order to qualify as a solicitor.

@@futuresolicitor Thank you for your response. I’ve seen quite a few people who have their SQEs funded by their firms during their training contracts. Also, some firms pay for students to do the SQE alongside an integrated masters at the University of Law. It’s called “LLM Legal Practice” and apparently the firm chooses your modules. If I did the SQE before graduation, would I be disadvantaged if I didn’t do an “LLM Legal Practice” for top law firms or would they still ask me to do one? If I had already finished my SQE by the time I graduated, would a law firm allow me to start the training contract straight away?

@@ThomasScott-e9v Completing the SQE before graduation isn’t necessarily a disadvantage, but top firms often prefer integrated programmes like the “LLM Legal Practice” to align with their training needs. Even if you finish the SQE early, some firms may still ask you to follow their structured pathways. Starting a training contract right after graduation depends on the firm’s policies, but early completion of the SQE could be seen as an advantage. Always check directly with the firms you’re targeting. Hope that helps! 😊

Hi Linda, I will be happy to provide further comment: (1) Yes, it is entirely possible to complete qualifying work experience (QWE) while at university, such as during holidays, internships, or part-time roles. The key requirement is that the experience involves legal work and is supervised by a solicitor or a compliance officer for legal practice. You would also need a solicitor to confirm this experience. Completing QWE during university can be a practical way to finish this requirement before graduation, making the process of qualifying as a solicitor more efficient. (2) Training contracts and QWE both fulfil the requirement for two years of legal experience under the SQE route, but they offer different advantages. A training contract with a prestigious firm, such as a magic circle law firm, provides structured, high-quality training, often across multiple practice areas, with significant professional development opportunities. On the other hand, QWE through roles like volunteering at Citizens Advice may be more accessible. The choice depends on your career aspirations and circumstances. (3) Again, this will highly depend on various factors and your circumstances. It’s possible but challenging. Magic circle and US firms often prefer candidates who have completed training contracts within similar firms due to the tailored and rigorous training they provide. Networking, securing internships, and making a strong application that highlights your abilities and transferable skills will be crucial for transitioning to such firms. I hope this is helpful, please do not hesitate to get back if you have any followup questions. 😊

Yes, you can! With your degree, you can work as a paralegal to gain legal experience while preparing for the SQE. Completing SQE1 and SQE2 within two years is ambitious but achievable with focused preparation. Consider our sample structured study plan (futuresolicitor.co.uk/how-to-prepare-for-the-sqe1-january-2025-exams-if-you-are-starting-now-july-2024/) and the SQE1 preparation course. Please let me know if you have any followup questions.

Hi there, you would not need a degree to sit the SQE exams. But to qualify as a solicitor, you would need a degree. I would say that you can apply to sit the SQE after registering with the SRA.

Hi there, according to SRA, it seems that you would be able to, please see this page: www.sra.org.uk/become-solicitor/legal-practice-course-route/becoming-solicitor-legal-practice-course-transitional-requirements/ I would highly recommend to get in touch with the SRA, as your situation might be more complex or different.

@@futuresolicitor thanks, worth exploring!

Hi there, we are currently offering a trial module. Please sign up here: futuresolicitor.co.uk/sign-up/

Hi there, you can find more information on exemptions in the following link. Depending on the jurisdiction you are a qualified lawyer, the requirements for an exemption will differ. www.sra.org.uk/become-solicitor/qualified-lawyers/sqe-exemptions/

Hi there, SRA is introducing degree validation, please check details here: www.sra.org.uk/become-solicitor/sqe/degree-equivalent/check-validate-qualification/ Regarding the QWE, please have a look at this extensive article that describes it: www.sra.org.uk/become-solicitor/sqe/qualifying-work-experience-candidates/

Hi there, I would recommend contacting SRA about individual exemptions.

Thank you! Please check this page to get started: futuresolicitor.co.uk/sqe1/

Thank you! I hope you enjoy the course!

Correct, you can have any degree (on any topic) and as long as you pass SQE, you can become a qualified lawyer in England.

@@futuresolicitor I see many universities offer SQE courses. Would you recommend these courses as necessity for taking the SQE? Sorry for all the questions! I’m still figuring it all out. Thank you!

@@Zafporter Not at all, happy to help. Most university programs offer law degrees and courses which cover very broad spectrum of practice areas that might not be relevant to SQE's syllabus (that is published by SRA). At Future Solicitor, we provide just what you need to know to pass the SQE.

You may need GDL

@@huzaifa_ghazikhanana ​No, this is not accurate. If you are starting your studies now, you may not go down the LPC/GDL route to qualify as a solicitor in England and Wales (unless you meet transitional requirements - which is rear). Please refer to SRA's page: www.sra.org.uk/become-solicitor/legal-practice-course-route/qualifying-law-degree-common-professional-examination/cpe-gdl-course-providers/

Hi there, certainly, you would need to prepare and pass SQE. Please see here if there are any exemptions that might be applicable for you: www.sra.org.uk/become-solicitor/qualified-lawyers/sqe-exemptions/

@@futuresolicitor love u thanks

Is it possible

I qualified LLB and ve high court practice license since last 8 yr

@@ikhlaqshah9432 You would still need to pass SQE.

Hi there, yes, you can cross qualify for English/Walsh law by passing SQE and practice English/Walsh law while you are in another jurisdiction.

Hi there, as mentioned under your another comment, this will depend on various factors and circumstances of SQE candidates. There is no one answer for all unfortunately. Some candidates will need more or less time. Please sign up to our trial course here: futuresolicitor.co.uk/sign-up/ You can reply to one of our emails about where you are with your legal education and I will be happy to provide more specific answer tailored to your circumstances.

Hi there, thank you for your interest. I would say this will greatly depend on each person's situation and background in terms of their education.If you have some legal education background it would take shorter, if you don't, I would say it might take longer. You can see one suggestion by us in the blog post: futuresolicitor.co.uk/how-to-prepare-for-the-sqe1-january-2025-exams-if-you-are-starting-now-july-2024/

Hi there, glad you enjoyed the video. We are not making the spreadsheet publicly available at this stage, as it need a lot of input from us to get it working. If you have any specific questions about SQE timeframes, please let us know.

Check it in SRA's website

Hi there, yes, you would need to go through SRA's application process for SQE.

Hi there, foreign qualified lawyers are automatically exempt from QWE. Please find more information on this here: www.lawsociety.org.uk/topics/international/how-to-become-a-solicitor-a-guide-for-international-lawyers-and-overseas-students

Glad they are useful!

Hi there, glad you like the videos. For exemptions, please refer to this page: www.sra.org.uk/become-solicitor/qualified-lawyers/sqe-exemptions/

Hi there, your work experience as an intern at a law firm can count if you were interning in legal services and not for example administration of the law firm. Legal research assistant would not count, as your QWE would have to be recorded by SRA registered lawyer. Please refer to this page for more details: www.sra.org.uk/become-solicitor/sqe/qualifying-work-experience-candidates/

@@futuresolicitor thank you for your response. I did go through the site but I am have a llb from India and LLM from US any experience I have had working in the legal space is with attorneys of these countries specifically. The legal research is also for an attorney in the US would that still count ? The link answers my questions but I’d like to know specifically for my case.

@@Vaiyrut If your role has not been recorded in a qualifying manner, your work experience will not count towards 2 years of QWE: "please make sure the solicitor of England and Wales or compliance officer for legal practice (COLP) we regulate are aware that they will need to confirm your QWE.". Source: www.sra.org.uk/become-solicitor/sqe/qualifying-work-experience-candidates/registering-qualifying-work-experience/ If you are a qualified lawyer or solicitor in another jurisdiction, you might be able to get an exemption. But you didn't mention anything about this in your post.

Hi there, glad you are enjoying the videos. I believe, the length of preparation will depend on many factors of a given SQE candidate, such as: is there any existing knowledge a candidate has, full or part time commitment to SQE preparation and many other factors. But what we are seeing is that candidates are spending 3-6 months on preparation or sometime more. We are working on a detailed study plan/guide which will hopefully help candidates and consider all these "it depends" factors and suggest 2-3 different length approaches on how to prepare. Please signup here to receive an update from us once this guide is published: futuresolicitor.co.uk/sign-up/

Hi there, we are not familiar with this topic, but please feel free to refer to gov.uk website.

Hi there, you would need to look into the nature of your work. Please refer to this page which inclined more information about the type of work you need to achieve QWE: www.sra.org.uk/become-solicitor/sqe/qualifying-work-experience-candidates/

With SQE exam passed, 2 years of QWE and successful SRA registration, you can practise law in England and Wales. But you would need to still find a firm to practise in and I believe you would need a work permit.

No, it would not count as QWE. The experience will need to take place under the supervision of SRA registered and qualified lawyer.

You will need to apply for an individual exemption. Check details here: www.sra.org.uk/become-solicitor/qualified-lawyers/sqe-exemptions/

@@futuresolicitor Thank you very much!

Hi there, thank you for getting in touch. Sorry to hear that you are having an issue. I will get in touch with you now through your registered email with us.

There are multiple factors involved in that process. We can't help with employment.

According to SRA, you will need to apply to an individual SQE2 exemption if you are an Advocate qualified in India. Please check out the article here for more details: futuresolicitor.co.uk/how-to-get-sqe-exemption-as-a-foreign-lawyer/

I read 2 year work experience for an Indian lawyer. Can I do it 2 different countries. Like 1.5 years from India and 6 months from Scotland. Can this will be sufficient for getting exemption in SQE 2