The SQE will replace the qualified lawyer’s transfer scheme (QLTS), serving foreign qualified lawyers who wish to requalify in the UK. This new route to qualification through theSolicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) will be introduced in autumn 2021 to replace the Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme (QLTS). The SQE will be open to candidates from all jurisdictions.
Exemption from the SQE
Qualified lawyers with practice rights will be able to apply for exemption from the SQE on the basis of their prior qualifications or experience. Exemptions will only be granted from a whole component (or components) of the SQE. When the SRA recognises a qualified lawyer’s professional qualification as equating to part or all of the SQE1 and SQE2 assessments, the qualified lawyer will not be required to sit the corresponding components of the SQE assessment(s). Qualified overseas lawyers will not need to fulfil the qualifying work experience requirement or get sign-off on it.
Transitional arrangements
The SRA has recognised the effect of COVID-19 on candidates sitting the second part of the QLTS assessment as it is only available in this jurisdiction. The period for those who have taken and passed the multiple-choice test (MCT) before 1 September 2021 to complete their qualifications and apply for admission has been extended to 31 August 2022 (inclusive).
Foreign qualified lawyers can choose to complete their qualifications and apply for admission either by sitting and passing the second part of the QLTS (the Objective Structured Clinical Examination –OSCE) or by sitting and passing SQE2.
Foreign qualified lawyers with exemptions
The above does not apply to those candidates who have been granted a full exemption from the whole MCT, who must have passed the OSCE and applied for admission by 31 August 2021 (inclusive), or sat and passed the July 2021 OSCE. Those who sit and pass the July 2021 OSCE can apply for a waiver from the requirement to have applied for admission before 1 September 2021, so long as they have been admitted in another jurisdiction as a qualified lawyer before 1 September 2021. This waiver can be applied until 31 December 2021.
How to prepare for the SQE
The SRA will not require you to complete any preparatory courses before sitting the SQE. However, you may consider taking an SQE preparation course to give yourself the best possible chance of passing the assessment.
The SRA has published an assessment specification for SQE1 and SQE2 that sets out:
- the content and coverage of the SQE
- a selection of sample questions for SQE1 so that candidates can see what will be required of them and providers can design SQE preparation courses
About the tests
The SQE is managed by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and administered by the legal education and training organisation, Kaplan. Kaplan does not provide training for the SQE. Training courses are available, but it’s your responsibility to make sure that any training course meets your needs.
The SQE will be divided into two separate tests: SQE1 and SQE2. You’re required to sit and pass SQE1 before progressing on to SQE2.
SQE 1
SQE1 is in multiple-choice question format, and is made up of two exams which will cover:
- business law and practice; dispute resolution; contract; tort; legal system of England and Wales; constitutional and administrative law and EU law; and legal services
- property practice; wills and the administration of estates; solicitors accounts; land law; trusts; criminal law and practice
Ethics and professional conduct will be examined pervasively across the two assessments above.
Note: SQE1 is available to take internationally at a range of test centres.
Candidates will be allowed three attempts at the assessment which must be taken within a six-year period.
SQE 2
SQE2 will be a series of practical assessments of skills. It will include assessments on:
- legal research
- legal writing
- legal drafting
- case and matter analysis
- oral presentation/advocacy
- client interview
- attendance note/case analysis (linked to the client interview)
SQE2 will be similar to the Objective Structural Clinical Examination (OSCE) that forms part of the current QLTS application.
Details of the format and how it will be assessed are set out in the SQE2 Assessment Specification.
There will be 16 tests within SQE2: 12 written and four oral.
The written tests can be taken internationally at test centres. The SQE2 oral assessments must be taken over two days in England and Wales.
Like the QLTS exams, your bar association will need to provide an individual certificate of good standing. In a small number of cases, an English language test may be required for those who are exempt from all or part of SQE2 and have not demonstrated their competence in written and spoken English through the SQE.
This test would be applied by the SRA after admission when applying for your first practising certificate.
How much does the SQE cost?
The total fee for taking both SQE assessments will be £3,980 (3.9 lakhs INR to 4 lakhs INR, depending on the exchange rate). The fees do not include training costs, which will vary depending on a candidate’s choices.
When the SQE is introduced in September 2021, these fees will cover:
- SQE1 – £1,558 for ten hours of examinations testing candidates’ functioning legal knowledge
- SQE2 – £2,422 for 14 hours of written and oral tasks testing both practical legal knowledge and skills, such as advocacy, legal research, and case and matter analysis
This does not include the cost of any preparation course(s), which will vary depending on a candidate’s choice.
Total Approximate Expense involved:
| SQE 1 | GBP | INR | Notes | |
| Return flight to UK | 600 | 57000 | Average cost. Could get a cheaper ticket if planned ahead. | |
| Travel within UK | 200 | 19000 | Local transport, Uber cab etc. Avoid the Black cabs (Too expensive). | |
| Accomodation ( 3 nights) | 180 | 17100 | Added atleast one night to acclimatize yourself to the timezone. Avg: 60GBP bed and breakfast | |
| Other Sundries etc | 200 | 19000 | A McD meal: 7GBP. A decent dinner will set you at 20 gbp. Choose a Michelline star restuarant – you are rich. Needn’t worry 🙂 | |
| SQE 1 Exam cost | 1558 | 148010 | Exam Fee | |
| SQE 1 Total Expense | 2738 | 260110 | Approximate expense | |
| SQE 2 | GBP | INR | Notes | |
| Return flight to UK | 600 | 57000 | Average cost. Could get a cheaper ticket if planned ahead. | |
| Travel within UK | 200 | 19000 | Local transport, Uber cab etc. Avoid the Black cabs (Too expensive). | |
| Accomodation (5 nights) | 300 | 28500 | 5 days. Exam likely spread over 3 days | |
| Other Sundries etc | 200 | 19000 | Food and Misc. | |
| SQE 2 Exam Cost | 2422 | 230090 | Exam Fee | |
| SQE 2 Total Expense | 3722 | 353590 | Approximate expense | |
| Total Expense | Total Cost | 6460 | 613700 | Approximate Total Expense |
Note – Costs could be reduced depending on where you take the tests. SQE2 oral assessments however are available only in the UK.
- SQE1 available to sit internationally, availability will evolve with demand
- SQE2 written assessments available internationally
- SQE2 oral assessments only available in England and Wales
Important Dates
Following further engagement with stakeholders, below are the planned assessment dates for 2021 and 2022. We have also included timings for 2023. Please note that:
- there are two SQE1 sittings in 2023, in January and July. We will continue to monitor demand for introducing additional SQE1 sittings, looking to add sittings when appropriate, for example, in April and October
- there are two SQE2 sittings in 2023, rising to three SQE2 sittings in 2024 (January, April and July), and ultimately rising to four SQE2 sittings (January, April, July, and October)
These will become the regular pattern of SQE sittings following the transitional years of 2021 and 2022. We will aim for assessment dates that are within the same weeks of the same months as far as possible. These will be published 12 months before each relevant assessment.
| Year | Assessment | Exam sitting |
| 2021 | SQE1 | 8 and 11 November |
| 2022 | SQE2 | Written part: 11-13 April Oral part: First sitting 19-20 AprilSecond, sitting 21-22 April |
| 2022 | SQE1 | July |
| 2022 | SQE2 | October |
| 2023 | SQE1 | January |
| 2023 | SQE2 | April |
| 2023 | SQE1 | July |
| 2023 | SQE2 | July |
Note:
SQE1 involves around ten hours of examinations, while SQE2 is around 14 hours.
SQE1 is sat over two full days and SQE2 is sat over five half days.
