The SQE is coming – are you ready?

SQE has been in planning for years (and years…), with multiple reviews and stakeholder input its’ the biggest shake up to the route to qualification as a solicitor to happen for decades. However, everything now rests upon whether approval will be given by the Legal Services Board (LSB) by the end of this month, October 2020. If approval is given SQE will be implemented in September 2021.

The SRA have been putting out information on a regular basis as to why the changes are needed, what the new pathways are, timescales and the regulations involved. Updates can be found on the SRA website and their social media platforms.

However, our SQE white paper picks out the key points, timelines, regulations and a clear synopsis of what you need to know about SQE. We hope that this will give you a clear picture of the new ways in which trainees will be expected to qualify.

It is important to remember that under SQE trainees will be assessed against their competence at the point of admission rather than, as previously, at a trainee level of competence.

What are some of the key points about SQE ?

Some of the changes – the requirement for trainees to complete both the Legal Practice Course and the Professional Standards Course will disappear as will the need to complete both contentious and non-contentious work experience. This will, however, mean that each law firm will be able to identify its key requirements from the SQE training process and develop its own bespoke developmental programme or to look for a training provider to provide its SQE 2 training for its future recruits.

Increasing diversity – opening up the profession to a wider range of candidates as the SQE is designed to give as inclusive a route into the profession as possible.

Clear Admission Criteria – As long as trainees fulfil four criteria as specified by the SRA (below), they can be admitted as a practising solicitor.

The SRA’s 4 Criteria for Admission

Added flexibility – allowing law firms to target training for trainees that will be of specific benefit to the firm rather than having to cover a standard set of ‘one-size fits-all’ training requirements.

Your role in implementing the SQE

HR, L&D and graduate recruitment professionals are at the frontline of delivering the SQE. Depending on your firm’s circumstances, size and individual requirements you will almost certainly have different priorities for example:

• You may well be looking to implement the SQE from September next year – or keeping your September 2021 trainees on the existing regime, as permitted);
• You might have signed up to a training provider for SQE1 – or still be looking at the different options for both SQE1 and SQE2; and
• You may already feel certain of what’s required of you and your firm to implement SQE – or you may still have many questions that require to be answered.

You will be expected, of course, to be able to ask the right questions about the SQE – and then answer them as well. Keeping on top of the requirements and updates can be tricky and time-consuming.

To help and support you, the Fresh website is being updated regularly with relevant news and opinion, and has a dedicated SQE page with advice, updates, and links to SRA information.

In the meantime:

• Please do take the time to read our SQE white paper; and
• We will notify you as soon as we have an update on whether SQE is to proceed in accordance with the SRA timetable.

For more information please contact: Rachel Berry on 01454 550066