There are two routes to qualifying as a solicitor, and these would depend on whether you start your journey to qualify before or after September 2021.
(a) THE LPC ROUTE (BEFORE SEPTEMBER 2021)
The first consideration is whether you have a law background or a non-law background.
LAW BACKGROUND
If you are an aspiring solicitor, I would recommend that you apply for vacation schemes from year 1 or 2 of law school. These are two weeks of work experience in law firms. This will inform your choice of what type of law firm you would like to work in. Once you then finish your law degree, you must then undertake the LPC (Legal Practice Course).
Once you then finish the LPC, you then need to secure a Training Contract. This is two years of work experience as a trainee solicitor which would enable you to qualify as a solicitor.
NON-LAW BACKGROUND
It’s pretty common in the UK for people to study a subject like history, english, chemistry or even music in their undergraduate degree, and then decide to a pursue a career in law. If they decide to go down this route, usually all they would need to do is apply to study for the Graduate Diploma in Law (the GDL). This is a one-year fast track conversion to law course.
It’s however important to note that the days of the GDL are numbered. I explain the reasons why while detailing the next route to qualification, the SQE route.
(b) THE SQE ROUTE
There is a new system coming into play called the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (“SQE”). It is being phased in to become the new centralised way to qualify as a solicitor in England and Wales. It is the new single, rigorous assessment for all aspiring solicitors.
The SQE was formally launched by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) on 1 September 2021 and replaces the LPC route to qualification as a solicitor for those who have not already begun their qualification journey. This means that from 1 September 2021, if you have not completed, started, accepted an offer of a place or paid a non-refundable deposit for:
the Common Professional Examination / Graduate Diploma in Law (CPE)
the Legal Practice Course
a period of recognised training (also known as a training contract).
then you will need to qualify through the SQE route.
For those with either a qualifying law degree (QLD) or exempting law degree (ELD), you must have completed, started, accepted an offer of a place or paid a non-refundable deposit by 21 September 2021 to continue on to qualify through the LPC route. (Your QLD or ELD must start by 31 December 2021 latest.) If you don't fall within this category, you too will need to qualify through the SQE.
In summary:
Transitional arrangements are in place so those who started a law degree, GDL or LPC before September 2021 will be able to continue qualification via the traditional route until 2032. Because of the long transition period, if you start your law degree or LPC before September 2021 you'll have 11 years to qualify under the traditional route. However, if you want to switch to the new SQE route you’ll be able to do so.
If you begin studying law after September 2021 the LPC will cease as a qualification route. You'll have to take the SQE and won't have the option of qualifying via the old route.
The SQE has a four stage route:
Get a degree (or equivalent) in any subject;
Pass SQE1 and SQE2 assessments - the SQE1 is about fundamental legal knowledge and is a multiple choice paper with 180 questions. It is very similar to what you would learn in an undergraduate law degree or stage 1 of the LPC. SQE2 is about practical legal skills such as Advocacy;
A minimum of two years Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) - this may be completed with up to four different legal employers. QWE includes paralegal work experience, placements while doing your degree and pro bono in a law clinic. The two years QWE can be taken at any point throughout the SQE, but the SRA expect that the majority of graduates will pass SQE1 before embarking on their main period of work experience;
Show you are of satisfactory character and suitability.
In my opinion, the SQE route is fantastic for two reasons:
(a) The cost
According to the SRA the total candidate fee for the SQE will be £3,980.
SQE1 will cost £1,558
SQE2 will cost £2,422
These figures don't include any additional training costs such as SQE preparation courses. If institutions incorporate SQE preparation into their law degrees there will be no additional charge, however if you choose to take preparation courses separately bear in mind that costs could be considerably higher.
These costs are MUCH cheaper than the LPC which cost between £13,000 - £17,000.
(b) All your work experience counts!
Given how competitive it is to land a training contract, work experience which includes placements, being a paralegal or working in a pro bono clinic all count as experience. These would not usually be counted as part of your training contract under the traditional LPC route.
The above factors mean becoming a solicitor will be more accessible for everyone.
I hope this helps!
As always, feel free to reach out with any questions you may have.
Arooj