Becoming a solicitor
Student enrolment
Before you start the Legal Practice Course
Before you start your Legal Practice Course (LPC), you must
- enrol as a student with the SRA, and
- obtain our written confirmation that you have completed the academic stage of training.
Until you have done both, you will not be able to start the LPC or enter into a training contract.
Important dates – for applicants applying through the Central Applications Board only *
| March 2009 | We will send an application form to those applying through the Central Applications Board (CAB). |
| 1 April 2009 | Deadline for receipt of completed application forms and fees from those students with character and suitability issues |
| 1 August 2009 | Deadline for receipt of completed application forms and fees for students without character and suitability issues |
| 31 August 2009 | Students who have not received confirmation of completion of the academic stage of training by this date should contact us. |
| 31 October 2009 | Deadline for receipt of results for confirmation of the academic stage of training |
* Important – if you have not applied through the Central Applications Board, you can submit an application form up until the start of your LPC course, on the condition that you give the LPC provider a written undertaking on enrolment that you will lodge your application with the SRA within 7 calendar days of enrolment on the LPC.
If we do not receive your application within 7 days of enrolment, we will not process your application for the 2009 intake, we will return your application form and fee directly to you and you will be required to leave the course.
How to apply
If you have applied for a full-time LPC through the Central Applications Board, they will give us your details and we will send you an application for student enrolment and completion of the academic stage (form EN1).
If you have not received it, or you are applying to take the LPC part-time, download and complete EN1: Application for student enrolment and completion of the academic stage of training (PDF 167K).
The fee is £80. There is a variety of ways to pay.
Your application is not complete without the fee.
Character and suitability – for applicants who have applied through the Central Applications Board only
When you enrol as a student with us, you must declare any information that might affect your suitability to be a solicitor. Failure to do so may have serious implications if you wish to practise as a solicitor in the future.
This includes
- any criminal conviction, including cautions, reprimands and warnings (even if they are spent)
- any instance of cheating in examinations or plagiarism during a course of study
- any County Court Judgments against you, declarations of bankruptcy (even if they have been satisfied) or evidence of inability to manage financial affairs
- any incidents in which your character has been called into question.
Read Student enrolment and completion of the academic stage of training - what you need to know (PDF 79K) to find out what you must tell us.
To find out how we assess character and suitability, read our Guidelines on the assessment of character and suitability (PDF 57K).
When to apply – for applicants who have applied through the Central Applications Board only
If you have no character and suitability issues, you must send your application and fee early enough to ensure that we receive it before 1 August in the year you intend to start the LPC.
If you have any character and suitability issues that require consideration, your application and fee must be sent so we receive it before 1 April of the year you intend to start the LPC.
If we receive your application after the deadline we will not process it and we will return your form and fee, except in exceptional circumstances such as bereavement, prolonged sickness, injury or trauma.
Further information
For detailed information about student enrolment, download Student enrolment and completion of the academic stage of training - what you need to know (PDF 79K).
EN1 Application form
If we have not sent you a form, or you are applying to take the LPC part-time, please download and complete EN1: Application for student enrolment and completion of the academic stage of training (PDF 167K).
EN1 guidance notes
Download the guidance notes (PDF 54K) for completing the EN1 form.
What you are expected to know
Find out what you are expected to know before you begin the Legal Practice Course. This document discusses the ethos of the LPC, outlines the structure of the course, and describes ways in which you will be required to apply your existing knowledge.