September 2021 sees the launch of the SQE but what is it and how does it work?
Solicitors Qualifying Experience is being brought in to centralise the qualification to become a Solicitor in England and Wales and will eventually replace the LPC.
SQE assessments will be completed after completing a degree and will be separated into two parts, SQE 1 and SQE 2.
SQE 1 will be testing functional legal knowledge via multiple choice questions about the application of law based on true to life scenarios. It looks at the subjects covered in the law degree or conversion course and the vocational practice areas in stage 1 of the LPC. There will be 360 questions over two papers with 180 multiple choice questions on each paper.
SQE 2 tests practical legal skills such as interviewing, advocacy, research, legal drafting and writing along with analysis.
Similarly to Training Contracts which are undertaken after the LPC, Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) will need to be completed and can be done at any point during the qualification process and it can be completed with up to four legal employers. It can include placements whilst studying, paralegal work in a law clinic as well as working for a two-year period with a law firm.
SQE offers more flexibility and helps to provide wider access to the profession with different routes and the QWE supports this as there are a limited number of training contracts on offer each year. Paul Philip, SRA Chief Executive said “The new assessment will mean the public and law firms can have full confidence that all new solicitors meet the same consistently high standards, regardless of how they qualified. As well as building trust and confidence, the SQE should also help widen access to the profession, by allowing different routes to entry, including ‘earn as you learn’ pathways such as apprenticeships.”
However, some have concerns with regards to the new route. Adele Edwin-Lamerton, Solicitor and Chair of the Law Society JLD Committee has said “We are very concerned about the cost of the SQE assessment and the preparatory course. We don’t feel that just because the SRA hasn’t specified that a preparatory course is mandatory, this will prevent students (and firms) seeking a programme of study to assist them in passing the assessment, leaving those unable to afford a course at a disadvantage. Not all universities will incorporate SQE Part 1 preparation in their undergraduate LLB programme, meaning for many there will be an additional cost.”
You can find more information about the new pathway here https://www.law.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/sqe/
Sources
https://www.allaboutlaw.co.uk/commercial-awareness/legal-spotlight/sqe-what-the-experts-think-