Becoming a Solicitor

ROUTES TO QUALIFICATION AS A SOLICITOR

Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE)

Since 1 September 2021, the SQE has become the main route to qualification. All students starting a law degree or conversion course after that date must qualify via the SQE.

The SQE is divided into two parts. SQE1 tests functioning legal knowledge through two exams, FLK1 and FLK2, each with 180 multiple-choice questions. These assess the candidate’s ability to apply legal knowledge to practical scenarios, including questions on professional conduct and ethics. SQE1 lasts 10 hours in total and costs £1,888.

SQE2 tests practical legal skills through a mix of oral and written assessments. These include client interviewing, advocacy, case and matter analysis, legal research, legal writing and drafting. It lasts 14 hours in total and costs £2,902.

Candidates must also complete two years’ full-time (or equivalent) Qualifying Work Experience (QWE). This can be gained at up to four different organisations and does not need to be formally structured like a traditional training contract. It must be signed off by a solicitor.

Finally, candidates must pass the SRA’s Character and Suitability assessment before
qualifying. Preparation courses for the SQE are not mandatory but are often recommended due to the breadth and difficulty of the exams. These courses vary significantly in price, and there is currently no access to government student loans. However, some scholarships, employer sponsorships, and solicitor apprenticeships may help cover the costs


YLAL was encouraged by the SRA’s intention of improving social mobility in the sector through the revamp of the route to qualification; however, we are not convinced that the SQE will in fact do this in the suggested form. We have concerns relating to the cost of qualification and the lack of funding options available for the assessment. We are also extremely concerned about the areas of law which have been excluded from the SQE, specifically family, housing and social welfare, immigration, employment and public law. We remain unconvinced that the SQE will in fact improve diversity and social mobility in the sector and believe that in its current form it is likely to have an impact on the sustainability of the sector and the recruitment of new solicitors in the excluded areas of practice. In addition we are concerned about the impact this new route will have on legal aid providers and their ability to train and employ junior legal aid lawyers.

In response to concerns over cost, access and the diversity of training opportunities, the Social Welfare Solicitors Qualification Fund (SWSQF) has been established by City of London Law Society, BARBRI and YLAL with the support of Legal Aid Practitioners Group (‘LAPG’) and Law Centres Network (‘LCN’).

The fund is open to candidates already working in social welfare law, such as housing, immigration, community care or public law, who are committed to qualifying as solicitors but may not have the financial means to cover the SQE preparation and assessment costs.

LPC + Training contract

Students who began their law degree, GDL or LPC before 1 September 2021 can still qualify via the traditional route until 31 December 2032. This route involves completing the Legal Practice Course (LPC). After this, candidates must secure a two-year training contract with a law firm or other legal organisation. During the training contract, they must also complete the Professional Skills Course (PSC). While still valid, this route is being phased out.

The application process for training contracts is extremely competitive. YLAL has provided some tips on securing a training contract.

Application Forms

  • You need to know where you would like to work before you can start any application forms. Where do you want to work? What type of lawyer do you want to be? Do you have an interest in a particular area? Have you visited any open days?
  • Do not copy and paste. This is a pet hate among recruiters. You need to tailor your application to the firm you are applying for.
  • Make a meaningful application. You can do this by making sure that you read and answer the questions. Each sentence should be important.
  • Do not rush or submit your application close to the deadline. The firm will be able to tell when an application has been submitted.
  • Make sure that you keep a copy of your application. You will want to be able to read through it if you reach the next stage.
  • Proof read your application or ask a family member or friend to check for any mistakes. If you want a mentor to check over any applications for legal aid roles, find out more about our Mentoring Scheme.

Interviews / Assessment Centres

  • Be prepared. There will be questions about you, your application, the firm, your skills and commercial awareness. You can practice your answers to common questions before hand. For example, they are likely to ask why you would like to work for their firm.
  • Read about current affairs related to law and your proposed areas of work. You can follow our Facebook page and Twitter account to read news articles and stay up to date.
  • Read up on recent cases from the area of law you are interested in. This includes blogs such as Nearly Legal, Pink Tape, The Secret Barrister etc. Check out our Blogs and Podcasts page for ideas.
  • Do not panic. Give yourself a few seconds to prepare an answer. A pause will sound a lot better than rushing to say something you have not thought about. If you still do not understand a question you should ask.
  • Speak to friends and colleague. You may know people who have already been interviewed and will be able to ask them for advice.

Justice First Fellowship

The  Justice First Fellowship Scheme was established in 2014 to support the next generation of students committed to public interest and social justice issues who want to pursue a career in social welfare law.

The Scheme has been established by The Legal Education Foundation, and is supported by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, Unbound Philanthropy, BBC Children in Need, AB Charitable Trust, BPP, City Bridge Trust, Royal Bank of Scotland, and a number of law firms.

The aim is that the Fellowship Scheme will come to be seen as a route to a career in this important area of law, with Fellows going on to become leaders in their field and important advocates for access to justice and the rule of law.

The Fellowship consists of three parts. To provide:
1. A two year fully funded training period in any UK nation, and a free place on the Professional Skills Course at BPP campuses or equivalent compulsory training in Scotland or Northern Ireland
2. Fellows with time and resource during their training period to develop and implement a project that will advance access to justice in some way;
3. Additional support, training and opportunities for Fellows to gain skills and feel part of a wider movement of people committed to access to justice.

To be eligible, candidates must:

  • Have a relevant qualification:
    • England & Wales: completed and passed (or expect to pass by 14 March 2025) the Legal Practice Course (LPC) or have an UG degree and completed and passed SQE Part 1.
    • Scotland: completed and passed (or expect to pass by 14 March 2025) the Diploma in Legal Practice/Professional Legal Practice (DLP/DPLP).
    • Northern Ireland: graduated with a recognised law degree and will need to receive notification of admission by March 2025 to the Solicitors apprenticeship scheme at the Institute of Professional Legal Studies, Queen’s University Belfast, commencing in September 2025;
  • Have the right to work in the UK;
  • Be willing and able to commit to serving a two-year term as a Fellow commencing in April 2025;
  • Be able to demonstrate a commitment to social welfare law.

Positions are usually advertised in Autumn each year for a start in April of the following year.

CILEx

If you would like to earn as you learn then the CILEx may be suitable for you.

Chartered legal executives are qualified lawyers like solicitors or barristers. You can start CILEx at several different stages in your career.

  • If you do not have a law degree you would complete the level 3 qualification which is equivalent to A levels and the level 6 qualification which is equivalent to a degree. This would cost around £9,500 and would take around 4 years to complete part time.
  • If you have a qualifying law degree you can complete a graduate fast-track diploma as an alternative to the LPC or BPTC. This would cost approximately £3,250 and would take around 1 year to complete part time.
  • If you already hold an LPC or BPTC you will be exempt from all CILEx qualifications and can immediately apply to become a graduate member of CILEx and use the designatory letters ‘GCILEx’. You will need to complete the qualifying employment requirement which includes preparing a portfolio but once you have completed this you will be a chartered legal executive lawyer.

Once you have qualified as a chartered legal executive you can ask the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) for exemption from the training contract and become a solicitor rather than a chartered legal executive if you want to.

Equivalent Means
You can apply to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) for exemption from any part of the route to qualification as a solicitor. Find out more about Equivalent Means on their website.

You can apply for exemption for the period of recognised training. This means that you could qualify as a solicitor without having to do a training contract. You will need at least two years of experience in three distinct areas of law, supervision of your work, references from your supervisor and regular reviews/appraisals. You complete an application form where you provide evidence for the skills required to become a solicitor. This is similar to CiLEX as you will prepare a portfolio of evidence. Find out more about the Period of Recognised Training on their website.

The application and your supporting evidence are sent to the SRA for approval with a cheque for £600. The SRA aim to provide you with a decision within 180 days. Remember that if you follow this route you may have to pay for your Professional Skills Course. This will cost around £1,000 to £2,000. It will depend on which provider you choose and whether you want to take additional electives.

Solicitor Apprenticeships (including Graduate Apprenticeships)

Solicitor apprenticeships combine paid legal work with study for the SQE and are funded by the Apprenticeship Levy. The standard apprenticeship lasts five to six years and is open to school leavers. Graduate solicitor apprenticeships are shorter, typically two to three years, and designed for those who already hold a degree.

Apprentices work in legal roles while studying and sit the SQE exams at the end of the programme. Apprentices earn a salary throughout and avoid student debt.

YLAL Jobs

Find out about current opportunities in legal aid roles on our Jobs page.