Solicitors Qualifying Examination

The Solicitors Regulation Authority has been consultating on its new Solicitors Qualifying Examination (‘SQE’). 

SQE will be the new way for people to qualify as solicitors. It will be introduced by Autumn 2021. 

YLAL is concerned to ensure that any reforms to legal education and training have a positive impact on social mobility and access to the profession. The proposed introducton of the SQE represents an overhaul of legal education and training, and as such provides a unique opportunity to increase the accessibility of the profession by reducing the cost of legal education, which is a significant financial barrier to qualification as a solicitor.

We urge the SRA to consider carefully at every stage the impact of its proposals on the accessibility of the profession, particularly to those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Here’s YLAL’s responses to various consultations relating to SQE: 

You can find out more about SQE on the SRA’s website