SQE Update – May 2022

In this bulletin find out about the first SQE2 assessment that took place last month, how the SQE2 assessments are marked, SQE assessment exemptions for qualified lawyers and reminder of our transitional arrangements. You can also book for our upcoming face-to-face events, as well as watching our on demand webinars.

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First SQE2 assessment took place

The first SQE2 assessments took place last month with more than 730 candidates sitting it. The written assessments happened at 89 test centres in the UK and internationally, while the oral exams were held in Cardiff, London and Manchester.

Results for this sitting will be available from late August. As with SQE1, we will publish a short post-assessment report. This will cover overall candidate performance and the key results from the assessment, such as pass mark, pass rate and a report by the SQE Independent Reviewer.

Keeping SQE exam information confidential

Before they can sit an SQE assessment, each candidate must sign a confidentiality agreement. Although they can share, for example, what sitting the exams is like or the assessment day logistics, they cannot reveal any details about the exam content. Where we have evidence that a candidate has breached this agreement we will investigate and take action if appropriate.

SQE2 assessment marking and pass marks explained

SQE2 is made up of 16 assessments that test legal skills and knowledge - 12 written and four oral. It is marked based on professional judgements across a range of assessment criteria rather than a checklist approach.

Learn more about this and how the final pass marks are calculated

SQE assessment exemptions for qualified lawyers

Exemptions from the SQE assessments are only available to qualified lawyers. This is someone who has a legal professional qualification which means they can practise in the UK (eg a Scottish solicitor) or an international jurisdiction.

Applications for exemptions will fall in to two broad categories:

1. Agreed exemptions where we have already given a legal qualification an exemption and all lawyers who have that qualification can apply for this. So far these only exist for SQE2.
2. An individual exemption based on:
   • a lawyer’s legal qualification and
   • additional work experience and/or qualifications.

Find out about the SQE assessment exemptions.

We also have a helpful webinar available on demand explaining how qualified lawyers can become a solicitor and tips for a good exemption application. Watch it now

LPC route and our transitional arrangements

We have transitional arrangements in place to make sure those that were already on their way to becoming a solicitor don’t lose out now the SQE has been introduced. This means someone already studying or training by 21 September 2021 could continue to qualify through the LPC route if they wish.

This includes anyone who has:

• a qualifying law degree / exempting law degree
• the Common Professional Examination / Graduate Diploma in Law (CPE/GDL)
• the Legal Practice Course
• a period of recognised training (PRT) - often known as a training contract.

If non-law students accepted an offer of a PRT before 1 September 2021, they must have a started their CPE/GDL course by 31 August 2022 to take the LPC route. Any non-law students offered a training contact this year, will have to qualify through the SQE route.

Read the transitional arrangements

#SQEready – what universities and training providers are doing

We’re showcasing how different organisations are incorporating the SQE into their training and recruitment. Find out what three universities (City, University of London; Nottingham Trent University and Southampton Solent University) are saying about 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 (various locations)

We are running face-to-face networking events in Manchester and Swansea. 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, they are open to employers or a work experience provider, such as a charity or law clinic. The events will offer 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

Choose the best location below to book your place.

Manchester – 18 May

Swansea – 7 July

On demand webinars

Qualifying work experience explained

What is qualifying work experience (QWE)? Join our free webinar to find out and get the facts on:

• what counts as QWE
• how someone meets our requirements
• what confirming QWE involves and who can do it
• how a candidate records their QWE and what they need to tell us

Watch on demand

Qualified lawyers – becoming a solicitor

This webinar offers qualified lawyers from the UK and internationally, the facts on:

• what becoming a solicitor through the SQE means
• what we mean by a qualified lawyer and who it includes
• what qualified lawyers will need to do, including UK and Irish lawyers, barristers and chartered legal executives
• how you can apply for SQE assessment exemptions and tips for a good application
• the options for current Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme candidates and the important deadlines they need to know about

Watch on demand

SQE assessments: mitigating circumstances

This webinar tells candidates the options available to candidates whose performance in SQE assessments is negatively impacted by particular circumstances – commonly known as mitigating or extenuating circumstances. It will provide an overview of:

• the mitigating circumstances and ‘Fit to Sit’ policies, which include candidate illnesses or other personal circumstances beyond their control, mistakes or irregularities in the assessment, and any evidence of bias
• the application form 
• possible outcomes from the application.

Watch on demand