SQE Update – June 2022

In this bulletin find out about the next SQE2 assessment bookings, changes to the SQE Assessment Regulations, employer feedback from qualifying work experience events and our new discussion group. You can also book for our upcoming face-to-face event in Wales.

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SQE2 October bookings open soon

Candidates will be able to book for the SQE2 assessment, taking place in October, from 10am on 20 June. To do this, they must have completed the registration and pre-booking process first. We recommend candidates book as soon as possible to secure a place. A queuing system will be in place for fair access to the booking process should a large number of candidates want to book at the same time.

If they need reasonable adjustments, they should make the request as early as possible as part of their pre-booking steps. They do not need to wait for the booking window to open to do this.

To sit this exam, a candidate must have passed SQE1 or have the Legal Practice Course and be using SQE2 (as well as qualifying work experience) as an equivalent to a period of recognised training.

Find out how to register and book your place

SQE2 2023 assessment dates updated

To help you plan ahead, SQE2 assessment dates for 2023 are now available. Please note that this also includes an update to the April 2023 dates.

Exact dates for the oral and written assessments will be available in advance of the booking window opening.

Find out more

Minor changes to the SQE Assessment Regulations

We have made some minor changes to the SQE regulations regarding mitigating circumstances to make them clearer. These came into effect on 1 June. 

More about the updated regulations

Employer feedback from qualifying work experience events

We recently ran two events to provide an update on all things SQE, in particular, for organisations to discuss how they are approaching qualifying work experience (QWE).

The key themes emerging include:

• Lots of organisations have made good progress implementing QWE, for example, how and who will provide confirmation. But many are still getting to grips with this. If you are in this position, we have resources to help you.
• Organisations are taking advantage of the flexibility around staff recruitment and progression that QWE offers. There were lots of examples of moving away from the period of recognised training (training contract) model to more bespoke recruitment and progression in line with business needs. It was also great to hear that some organisations are taking on individuals for the first time because of QWE.

We are running another face-to-face session in Swansea on 7 July.

There was a real appetite for discussion around QWE and recognition of the benefits of sharing practical learnings. To help these conversations, we have set up an online community on LinkedIn.

Encouraging better diversity data

From winter 2023, we will publish data about candidate performance. This will help inform the choices of aspiring solicitors and employers about qualification, training routes and providers. It also helps us, and others, better understand and monitor diversity in the legal sector, particularly in relation to training and qualification and equality of opportunity.

To support this, we need all candidates to fully complete the diversity survey shown as part of booking an SQE assessment. It’s important we have as much accurate information as possible as it will help contribute to better data for everyone.

We would encourage training providers and employers to emphasise this message to SQE candidates.

Qualifying with the Legal Practice Course

If someone has the Legal Practice Course (LPC), or meets our transitional arrangements, they have three options for qualifying as a solicitor through the LPC route.

1. Complete a period of recognised training (often known as a training contract)
2. Substitute qualifying work experience (QWE) and SQE2 as equivalent to a period of recognised training. It will cost £2,493 to sit the SQE2 exam and a candidate will also need two year’s full time or equivalent QWE.
3. Apply through Equivalent Means for a period of recognised training (PRT) exemption. This is where someone demonstrates how their skills and experience are the same as a trainee solicitor would have developed through a PRT. It will cost £600 to apply and an aspiring solicitor will need to cross-reference their evidence to how it meets our standards. To do this, they can use employment information, appraisals, references and examples of work.

New qualifying work experience online discussion group

We've launched a 'Making QWE happen' LinkedIn discussion group. If you are in a law firm, in-house team, law clinic, charity or another organisation involved in providing QWE, please join to let us know your views and to share learnings with others.

Here you can discuss and share all things relating to qualifying work experience. This could be your organisation's approach, your processes, how you are addressing challenges, what you have learnt or suggestions for us as the regulator.

Join now

#SQEready – what universities and training providers are doing

We’re showcasing how different organisations are incorporating the SQE into their training and recruitment. Read the latest case study from University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) on what they’re doing.

Take a look

If you are a training provider – or employer – who is interested in getting involved in #SQEready, get in touch.

Get involved

Face-to-face events

Qualifying work experience – networking events for employers and work experience providers 

We are running a face-to-face networking event in Swansea on 7 July. Join us to discuss how changes to the qualification process have created new opportunities for law firms and in-house teams in how they can train future solicitors.

Free to attend, it is open to employers or a work experience provider, such as a charity or law clinic. The event offers an opportunity to:

• explore qualifying work experience - discussing opportunities and how to manage any risks
• input into our plans for evaluating the impact of the SQE and wider qualification changes
• network with other employers
• talk to the SQE team from the SRA and get answers to your questions

Book now