Becoming a solicitor

Qualifying law degrees

A list of institutions providing qualifying law degrees is available

The Training Regulations 1990 are rules that govern all aspects of qualifying as a solicitor. Agreeing the regulations is part of the role of the Council of the Law Society; the regulations are approved by the Lord Chancellor and designated judges. The provisions of the Training Regulations are supplemented by an extensive body of subordinate regulations.

The Joint Statement on Qualifying Law Degrees (PDF 51K), prepared jointly by the Law Society and the Bar Council, sets out the conditions a law degree course must meet in order to be termed a "qualifying law degree". This version applies to all law degrees commenced after 1 September 2001.

The Joint Academic Stage Board of the SRA and the Bar Council offers guidance to higher education institutions on determining the level of learning resources they commit to a course of study that is recognised as a qualifying law degree. Based around a series of precepts, Joint Academic Stage Board: Guidance on the determination of learning resources for recognised law programmes (PDF 230K) deals with matters such as human resources, staff development, physical resources and student support.

Completing the academic stage of training: Guidance for providers of recognised law programmes (PDF 87K) is designed for anyone who—in a professional capacity—provides advice to individuals intending to qualify as a solicitor. The elements of the academic stage of training are outlined, and the process of completing the academic stage of training is explained. The guidance describes SRA policies and conventions; it also addresses queries frequently raised by students and higher education institutions.

Student enrolment

Find out more about student enrolment.