Qualified lawyers with the Legal Practice Course (LPC)

September 2021

You have two qualification options if you have the LPC. Please note these options are independent of each other and you cannot mix elements of each.

Qualifying through the SQE as a qualified lawyer

The LPC does not give you an agreed exemption from any SQE assessment. This is because the SQE covers similar subject areas to the LPC but is assessed at a higher standard.

The SQE is assessed at a level of a newly qualified solicitor. Therefore, when someone has passed SQE2, they can apply for admission (subject to meeting our other admissions requirements). Whereas the LPC assesses a candidate's legal knowledge and legal skills at the point of starting a period of recognised training (training contract) – typically two years before admission as a solicitor.

If you choose to qualify through the SQE, you could use your LPC as evidence if applying for any exemptions, together with other qualifications and work experience.

Find out what you need to do to qualify.

Qualifying as a LPC graduate

Even though you are a qualified lawyer, you could instead choose to qualify as a solicitor through the LPC route up until 31 December 2032.

If you took this option, you would normally need to do a period of recognised training (training contract). However we can recognise two years' qualifying work experience (this needs to be confirmed by a solicitor of England and Wales) and passing the SQE2 assessment as equivalent to a period of recognised training.

Find out what you need to do to qualify.