The Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) is the main process of qualifying as a solicitor in England and Wales as of 2021. In order to be admitted to the roll of solicitors, a candidate must have tertiary education (level 6, not necessarily a degree) in any subject, pass two SQE assessments, complete qualifying work experience (QWE) for two years full-time (or part-time equivalent) and meet the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)'s requirements for character and suitability.[1][2] It is the solicitors' equivalent of the Bar Professional Training Course.
The four required elements of the SQE route to qualification do not need to be completed in a prescribed order; for example, QWE can be undertaken before, during or after a candidate sits SQE 1 or 2.
While the SQE refers specifically to the two exams which candidates must sit, in practice the term is often also used in reference to the current solicitors' training programme as a whole, including the transition from the traditional Training Contract to Qualifying Work Experience.
- ^ "Solicitor | Explore careers | National Careers Service". preview-staging.nationalcareers.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
- ^ "Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) route". www.sra.org.uk. 2020-05-18. Retrieved 2023-01-30.