A practical guide to the four steps to qualifying as a solicitor of England and Wales — and the route that applies to your background.
The Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) is the one route to qualifying as a solicitor of England and Wales. It applies to every candidate — UK graduate, career changer, apprentice, paralegal, Chartered Legal Executive, or foreign-qualified lawyer.
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is the regulator of solicitors in England and Wales. It sets the standards for qualification, administers the SQE through Kaplan, and admits new solicitors to the Roll once all requirements have been met.
To qualify as a solicitor through the SQE, you must:
Hold a degree (in law or another subject) or equivalent
Complete two years’ qualifying work experience (QWE)
Pass the two stages of the SQE assessment
Meet the SRA character and suitability requirements
The solicitor apprenticeship route is the main alternative for candidates without a degree.
The SRA requires you to pass both stages of the exam within six years of sitting your first SQE assessment, with a maximum of three attempts at each stage.
You do not need to complete your degree or QWE before sitting the exams, and QWE can be gained before, during, or after your SQE assessments, and can be split across up to four organisations. Foreign-qualified lawyers are automatically exempt from QWE.
The character and suitability check takes place when you apply for admission. This covers matters such as criminal record, financial history and professional conduct findings. Disclosure is treated more favourably than concealment.
Every candidate sits the same SQE assessments. Your background does not change what you sit, but it does shape how you prepare and which requirements apply to you.
You will have covered much of the substantive law already. Your preparation can focus on exam technique and filling any knowledge gaps.
It is possible to qualify as a solicitor without a university degree through the solicitor apprenticeship route.
The SQE is a well-established route for lawyers who qualified abroad and want to practise in England and Wales. Some foreign lawyers may be eligible for an SQE2 exemption.
You sit the same assessment as law graduates and can qualify on exactly the same terms.
The SQE gives you a route to formal qualification and can be taken alongside work. QWE gained as a paralegal may count toward your two-year requirement.
If you hold a CILEx qualification, you may be able to count some of your experience toward QWE.
Before you can work as a solicitor in England and Wales, you need to qualify and be admitted by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). The SRA is the regulator of solicitors and law firms in England and Wales.
Anyone who wants to become a solicitor in England and Wales must pass the SQE, which stands for Solicitors Qualifying Examination, regardless of the path they’ve taken to qualification.
The SRA developed the SQE to test aspiring solicitors on their legal knowledge, practical skills, and analytical abilities. It has two stages:
New to the SQE? This 10-minute video covers the structure of the assessment, who it applies to, and what to expect from each stage.
Or read our full guide:
In 2021, the SRA replaced a slightly different route to qualification for foreign qualified lawyers: QLTS. Find out more about the differences between the SQE and QLTS.
