Becoming a Legal Practitioner in the UK
For many Australian lawyers, the dream of practicing law in the UK is an alluring one. After all, it is the place from which the common law system that we know today was born, developed and adopted by numerous countries – ours being one of them. To be in the depths of history, surrounded by passionate peers and working in similar yet different conventions and systems is an admirable ambition. If you are not yet convinced, the thought of being able to hop on a train to visit another country and experience different cultures is something my Australian mind is reeling from!
To create an ambition is one thing, but to work towards it is a massive and daunting task to undertake. Knowledge is dynamic and subject to distortion. Knowing where to start, what is necessary and accurate, and what needs to be corrected can be overwhelming To help you take your legal journey to an international level, The Global Lawyer is here to lay the foundational blocks, so you feel confident in making the first step.
Examinations & Qualifications
The UK Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has implemented four qualifying conditions to qualify as a licenced solicitor in the UK. Lawyers must undertake the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) which has replaced the Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme. The other three qualifying components include an undergraduate degree (or equivalent), qualifying work experience of at least two years (subject to exceptions) and meeting suitability requirements as discussed later.
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The SQE is divided into two examinations – SQE1 and SQE2.
SQE1 will assess your legal knowledge of English and Welsh Law across thirteen practice areas – time to brush up your comprehension of UK law! SQE1 is a multiple-choice, closed-book assessment split over two days, each day having two examinations that last two and a half hours. Thus totalling 360 questions over 10 hours. The examination is held only in two months of a year by Kaplan – in January and July.
SQE2 will assess your written and oral legal skills over five practice areas. It is held more regularly, taking place every three months.
While this seems intimidating, being an Australian lawyer may allow for some relief from the stringent examinations. You can apply for an exemption from SQE2 if you have at least two years of legal work experience. Moreover, this can be gained as part of the qualification or after it.
To be accepted as a qualified lawyer, you must have practiced in one or more of the following fields:
◊ Criminal litigation
◊ Civil litigation (dispute resolution)
◊ Property practice
◊ Wills and intestacy, probate administration and practice
◊ Business organisations’ rules and procedures
SRA offers three potential exemptions:
1. SQE1 Functioning Legal Knowledge (FLK) 1
2. SQE1 Functioning Legal Knowledge (FLK) 2
3. SQE2
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In general, a minimum of two years of work experience is required. The type of qualifying work is specific and depends on whether it comes within the defined competencies articulated by the SRA.
The general requirements include the presence of a fellow solicitor or compliance officer registered with the SRA who has direct knowledge of you work and can attest to it.
If you are already a qualified lawyer, you do not need to meet this requirement.
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The SRA has stipulated steps to follow to become a qualified lawyer in the UK.
STEP 1: Make a mySRA account and add jurisdiction.
• If you are a qualified lawyer, create a mySRA account. Add your qualification by including the jurisdiction in which you have a licence to practice and the date you received it.
STEP 2: Have a valid degree.
• You must show a UK degree or equivalent level 6 qualification in any subject and use some qualification and work experience to apply to showcase something SRA determines to be equivalent to a degree.
STEP 3 Suitability and Admission Applications.
• If you obtain an exemption to the SQE2, you will have to demonstrate your English or Welsh language competency before the admission application.
• Before you apply, you must undergo a background screening and submit the results. SRA will ask you to upload a certificate of good standing ascertained by the jurisdiction you have a professional qualification and licence.
• The certificate must be less than three months old. It will need to be verified to confirm the date of admission, your good standing that shows that you have not been subject to disciplinary proceedings or have pending ones, and your current practicing licence.
STEP 4: Apply for a practicing certificate.
• According to the European Qualifications Framework, an overseas (non-UK) qualification must be equivalent to either a UK degree or equivalent accredited qualification of level 6 or above.
• Level 6 Qualifications include:
◊ Degree apprenticeship
◊ Degree with or without honours. For example: Bachelor of the Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BSc) honours
◊ Graduate certificate
◊ Graduate diploma
◊ Level 6 award
◊ Level 6 certificate
◊ Level 6 diploma
◊ Level 6 NVQ*
* NVQ, also known as National Vocational Qualification, is a competence-based qualification designed to teach and improve skills and knowledge to become more efficient at your job. They are tailored for a specific sector and can be undertaken at any time during employment or schooling. NVQs are assessed based on practical tasks and assignments that aim to demonstrate your ability to do your job. You must submit a portfolio and undertake any task given by your assessor. For more information, click here.
A level 6 NVQ is equivalent to a bachelor’s degree. For more information, click here.
This article aims to provide an overarching view on the process for attaining the ability to practice in the UK. For more information, visit these resources that are provided here:
Written by Roshni
Published 24/09/2024
https://www.collaw.edu.au/news/2023/01/23/how-to-become-a-qualified-lawyer-in-the-uk.
https://www.sra.org.uk/become-solicitor/admission/pathways-qualification/qualified-lawyers/.
https://www.sra.org.uk/become-solicitor/sqe/degree-equivalent/.
https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels.
https://www.sra.org.uk/become-solicitor/qualified-lawyers/sqe-exemptions/#finder