Becoming A Solicitor: Post-Law Degree Steps

If you're considering a career as a solicitor, be prepared to put in the work. It takes a lot of commitment and dedication to become a solicitor, with at least six years of full-time study and training. While it's not necessary to have a law degree, it is one way to get started on your journey to becoming a solicitor.

The first step is to gain entry to a law degree programme, which typically requires a minimum of five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English, Maths, and sometimes a foreign language, as well as a minimum of two A-levels, with three A-levels at grade A for the most popular courses. Once you've completed your law degree, the next step is to develop your practical skills and legal knowledge by taking the Legal Practice Course (LPC). This can be done full-time for one year or part-time for two years.

After completing the LPC, you'll begin your period of recognised training, which usually lasts for two years and involves full-time work experience with a law firm, rotating through different legal departments. During this time, you'll receive on-the-job training and gain valuable experience as a solicitor.

Finally, you'll need to pass the Solicitors Qualifying Examinations (SQE) and meet the character and suitability requirements of the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). The SQE is a two-part exam that tests your legal knowledge and practical legal skills.

It's important to note that competition for training contracts is high, so be prepared to stand out with consistently good grades and relevant work experience.

Take an undergraduate degree in any subject or equivalent qualification

To become a solicitor in the UK, you can take an undergraduate degree in any subject or equivalent qualification. This is because the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has introduced a new route to qualifying as a solicitor: the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). The SQE is a system of qualification for solicitors in England and Wales to improve access to the profession. It is not a course of study but a challenging examination.

The SQE is divided into two parts: SQE1 and SQE2. SQE1 tests "Functioning Legal Knowledge" across a wide range of areas of law, while SQE2 focuses on practical legal skills. You must pass SQE1 before taking SQE2. You have three attempts to pass each stage of the SQE, but it must be completed within six years of taking your first assessment for SQE1. Although the academic requirement for the SQE is a degree in any subject, if you haven't taken a law degree, you will likely need a preparatory course to pass the SQE exams.

If you have studied a non-law-related course at the undergraduate level, you will need to complete an additional year of study to meet the legal study entry requirements by taking a Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL) course, also known as a law conversion course. This route will enable you to gain the necessary legal knowledge to pass the SQE exams and qualify as a solicitor.

It is important to note that while the SQE route does not require a law degree, firms of solicitors are likely to favour candidates with a law degree or GDL. Therefore, it is advisable to obtain a law degree or, for non-law graduates, a GDL before embarking on the SQE route.

Pass parts 1 and 2 of the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE)

The Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) is a mandatory requirement to become a solicitor in England and Wales. It is divided into two parts: SQE1 and SQE2. The SQE is not a course but a series of exams, and candidates are assessed on a pass/fail basis.

SQE1

SQE1 tests your 'functioning legal knowledge' and assesses your application of law based on realistic client-based scenarios. It covers the foundational law subjects you will have studied on a law degree or conversion course, as well as the vocational practice areas in stage 1 of the previous LPC route.

SQE1 is made up of two lengthy multiple-choice papers of 180 questions each, lasting five hours and six minutes. The first paper, FLK1, covers:

• Business law and practice
• Constitutional and administrative law and EU law and legal services
• The legal system of England and Wales

The second paper, FLK2, covers:

• Criminal law and practice
• Wills and administration of estates

SQE2

SQE2 tests your practical legal skills, including:

• Interviewing (with written attendance note/legal analysis)
• Case and matter analysis

The assessment comprises 16 practical exercises, including four oral skills assessments and 12 written. Ethics and professional conduct are assessed throughout. The oral element takes place over two half days, and the written element takes place over three half days.

General Information

SQE1 must be passed before you can take the SQE2 assessments. You have three attempts to pass each stage of the SQE, and the entire exam must be completed within six years of taking your first assessment for SQE1.

The current total cost for taking both SQE assessments (from September 2024) is £4,790. However, these figures do not include any preparatory courses that may be required.

Complete two years of qualifying work experience

To qualify as a solicitor in the UK, you need to complete two years of qualifying work experience (QWE). This is a mandatory requirement for candidates pursuing the solicitor qualification through the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) route. The SQE was introduced in 2021 and is the new route to becoming a solicitor in England and Wales.

QWE is designed to give aspiring solicitors practical experience of real-life legal work and the opportunity to develop the skills and knowledge needed to be a solicitor. This work experience must involve providing legal services. It can be gained in up to four organisations, including law firms, in-house legal teams, legal clinics, voluntary or charitable organisations, and law centres. It can be paid or unpaid work and can be completed before, during, or after sitting the SQE assessments.

The work experience must be a minimum of two years full-time (or equivalent) and must be confirmed by a solicitor or Compliance Officer for Legal Practice (COLP). They will need to confirm the length and details of the experience, including that it provided an opportunity to develop the required competencies and that no issues arose regarding the candidate's character and suitability to be admitted as a solicitor.

It is important to note that QWE is flexible and can be gained through different placements or organisations. It does not need to be completed in one block and can be split across different organisations. However, it is worth checking with your shortlisted firms to understand their expectations regarding QWE, as some firms may want their future lawyers to complete the entire two-year QWE with them.

Additionally, there is no minimum length of time for a placement. Candidates and firms should consider whether the placement is long enough to experience and develop the required competencies.

Meet the character and suitability requirements of the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)

To meet the character and suitability requirements of the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), applicants must demonstrate proper 'character and suitability' by fulfilling the SRA's need to "protect the public and the public interest" and "maintain public trust and confidence in the solicitors' profession". This is a serious process, and if applicants do not meet the requirements for character and suitability, they will not be admitted as solicitors.

The SRA will take into account any information that indicates an applicant is unfit to practise as a solicitor for any reason. This includes anything that would adversely affect their ability to meet regulatory obligations or be subject to regulatory investigations or proceedings if required.

The SRA will consider various factors, including but not limited to:

• Criminal conduct: The SRA will consider criminal convictions and the nature of the crime, such as violence, dishonesty, terrorism, discrimination, or sexual offences. Cautions or multiple offences will also be taken into account.
• Behaviour: Any behaviour that reflects negatively on an applicant's integrity and independence will be considered. This includes threatening or harassing behaviour, discrimination, misuse of position, or abuse of trust.
• Financial conduct: The SRA will look into financial history and management, including bankruptcy, insolvency, debt management, and creditworthiness.
• Regulatory or disciplinary findings: Any previous serious disciplinary or regulatory findings, sanctions, or actions by a regulatory body will be considered. Failure to disclose information or providing false information will also impact an applicant's suitability.
• Health conditions: Applicants must disclose any health conditions that may impact their ability to practise as a solicitor or meet regulatory obligations.

To apply for the character and suitability assessment, applicants must complete a screening process, including a check by the Disclosure and Barring Service, and submit their application to the SRA. The SRA will carefully consider the information provided and may request additional evidence if needed. The application process typically takes around six months, and applicants must provide all the required information for their application to be approved.

Apply for admission to the roll of solicitors

To apply for admission to the roll of solicitors, you must follow these steps:

Pre-admission screening

Eight weeks before the end of your training, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) will contact you to arrange a pre-admission screening. This will assess your character and suitability to be a solicitor. It includes a check of your criminal record and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) will be involved.

Admission application

Once you have your screening results, you can apply for admission on the SRA website. The SRA will confirm the following as part of your application:

• You have successfully passed the SQE assessments
• You hold a degree, or qualifications/experience the SRA deems equivalent
• You have completed two years of Qualifying Work Experience (QWE)
• You meet the character and suitability requirements needed to be a solicitor

The SRA usually takes around 30 days to assess applications, but this may take longer if you disclose any character or suitability issues, need your QWE assessed externally, or require an overseas criminal record check.

Admission

Once your application is approved, the SRA will ask for your preferred admission date. They will then issue a certificate of satisfaction, confirming they will admit you as a solicitor on your preferred date.

Practising certificate

If you want to work as a solicitor in England and Wales, you will need a practising certificate. Conditions may be attached to this certificate under certain circumstances.

Frequently asked questions