The Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) is now very much part of the legal landscape with many lawyers choosing to qualify down this new route. This is a significant shift in how solicitors in England and Wales qualify and has brought both opportunities and challenges for aspiring lawyers and legal employers.
One key change is the flexibility that the SQE offers. It allows trainees to gain Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) across multiple placements, which has opened the door to lawyers working in more diverse legal environments. This flexibility has been a game-changer, enabling aspiring solicitors to gain experience outside traditional training contracts.
We have however heard concerns about the cost of the exams and the intense preparation required for SQE1 and SQE2. While some argue that the SQE is a more practical, skills-based assessment, others prefer the structure and specialisation that the LPC offers.
What is clear is that law firms are still adapting. As more NQs enter the workforce through the SQE route, the legal profession will continue to learn how the SQE compares in terms of readiness for practice, and whether it truly levels the playing field for entry into the legal profession.
I recently interviewed two NQ Solicitors to discuss their training and how the SQE and LPC compare. Hayley qualified via the SQE route in early 2024 as a Private Client Solicitor at Blanchards Bailey and Chloe-Ann qualified in September 2024 as a corporate solicitor through completion of the LPC and a training contract (TC) at Foot Anstey.
1. What was the most challenging aspect of your training, and how did it prepare you for the role of a qualified solicitor?
Hayley (SQE): The most challenging aspect of my training was time management and setting boundaries in terms of workload. It was difficult to balance the demands of study and work and have a personal life on top! There is a huge amount to learn whilst studying the SQE and it was difficult to allocate enough time to each subject. The intensity of study can easily lead to burnout and very early on I had to learn effective time management strategies and set clear boundaries to ensure I was dedicating enough time to my training.
Chloe-Ann (LPC): I found the managing expectations of others and my own expectations of what I could achieve difficult. Managing your speed of work, efficiency and attention to detail are difficult for any lawyer and especially tough as a trainee. Learning these skills help you in the long-term including assisting in supervision of other juniors.
2. What kind of client exposure did you have during training, and how has that influenced your approach to client relations now that you are qualified?
Hayley (SQE): I had been working in a legal environment with my own caseload for several years prior to studying so I had a lot of client exposure. It was beneficial to my study as for the practical interview exams in SQE2, sitting in front of the “client” was not as daunting as it might have been. Knowing how to communicate and deal with different people and personalities can take time. The exposure I have gained whilst building up my legal experience has been invaluable.
Chloe-Ann (LPC): I gained excellent client exposure through my TC, including the virtual trainee scheme and a client secondment. This gave me direct client contact which has helped with my confidence so that as a solicitor, I am able to appreciate what clients need and how to communicate effectively to build meaningful relationships.
3. How did you find the SQE assessments compared to traditional exams? Were they a good reflection of real-life legal work?
Hayley (SQE): I don’t think the SQE assessments can be described as anything other than intense, and they are in a very different format to traditional exams. I personally found the best single answer multiple choice format for SQE1 very difficult to study for and, even though I passed first time, I don’t think I ever cracked it! (Although I would certainly encourage anyone sitting the exams to do as many practice questions as possible and try not to second guess yourself).
The SQE2 assessment is more like the traditional style exam in that you are essentially looking at a problem question. It is just presented in a different way, and I found that much easier to navigate.
As I said above, there is a huge amount to learn for the SQE assessments and on the assessment days, particularly for SQE1, you do not know what area of law will be thrown at you next. Looking at the law from a practical problem-solving angle to identify the best way forward for your client is a good reflection of real-life, although the intensity is not!
4. How did your QWE differ from a traditional training contract? Did you find the flexibility beneficial or challenging?
Hayley (SQE): My QWE differed from a traditional training contract in that my QWE has primarily been in one area of law, and I do not have any experience of contentious law.
This was challenging because it meant that I did not have exposure to different areas of law and therefore no opportunity to develop any practical skills in those areas, which would definitely have helped. It was also difficult to stay motivated to learn certain areas of law when I knew that I was never going to practise in that area.
5. How well do you think the SQE route prepares trainees in terms of practical, day-to-day legal work?
Hayley (SQE): The SQE prepares you reasonably well for practical day-to-day legal work. It certainly encourages students to think in terms of not only what it a legally correct course of action, but also what makes the best commercial sense for a client. The SQE is however an assessment and there are certainly elements of ticking the right boxes in terms of what the examiners expected and those boxes didn’t always reflect the realities of practice.
6. What kind of support did you receive from your law firm/training provider during the SQE? Was it sufficient?
Hayley (SQE): I was the first person at my firm to sit the SQE assessment and therefore I was a bit of a “guinea pig” in this regard. Prior to starting the SQE, I studied for the CILEx qualification and the support I received from my firm for SQE mostly mirrored this, in that I was primarily responsible for organising my time, any study was outside of office hours, and I had limited contact with the Trainee Partner.
Completing the SQE was very much a learning process for both me and my employer. My experience and feedback have helped to shape a template for future trainees, which is more structured and will provide more support.
7. How did you find the structured approach of a traditional training contract compared to the SQE’s QWE? Did you specifically choose the formal approach of LPC as this suits your learning style or did you consider the SQE route?
Chloe-Ann (LPC): I did not consider the SQE route in any great detail, although I did look into it as I had paralegal experience that I thought could be used to speed up qualification. I did my LPC in 2021 and the SQE was very new then. I had applied for a TC in 2020 for the TC/LPC route anyway. What appealed most about the TC was the rotating and being part of a cohort. The familiarity of the pathway also made it feel more comfortable.
8. Did you feel the LPC provided a good balance between theoretical learning and practical application? Were there any gaps?
Chloe-Ann (LPC): Having the LPC taught by lawyers who had been in practice helped a lot. They could advise on the technical more academic parts, but also share insight on 'the reality'. I'd say it was generally as close to practical application as you can get while still being a university course. One gap was perhaps learning the more day to day tasks of emailing and delivering thoughts on a matter.
9. The LPC allows some degree of specialisation in electives. How do you think that benefited your early career development compared to the broader SQE approach?
Chloe-Ann (LPC): It gave me the opportunity to explore areas I was interested in. My firm selected some of the electives based on the exposure they thought would be most relevant – these were real estate and commercial. My last elective was mergers and acquisitions. This allowed me to align my studies with what my firm was expecting me to have experience in and to explore an area of interest. I really enjoyed M&A (unsurprising given where I've qualified) but if I didn't enjoy it, it would have been a good early indicator that perhaps corporate wasn't for me.
It also helped set me up for an understanding of what different seats would involve. The elective guide talking through practice areas helped me work out what sounded interesting (albeit in study not necessarily on the job but it was helpful!).
10. Did you feel well-supported during your LPC and training contract? How did the supervision from partners and senior solicitors help your development?
Chloe-Ann (LPC): My law firm would check in during the LPC, but I was not really supervised in any great deal during that study year. As for during the TC, I was incredibly well supported - through direct seat supervisors, an attentive and engaged early careers team, a partner mentor and peers. Everyone wanted you to succeed and you could really feel that. Towards the end of each seat, supervisors would encourage me to think about whether tasks/responsibilities boosted my development and if not, perhaps I could consider delegating those. It helped my technical development as well as my overall set of skills as a lawyer.
11. How do you think the LPC compares to the SQE route, and what are your views on its relevance in today's legal market?
Chloe-Ann (LPC): I think the SQE is now regarded as a less controversial route than it was when I was considering it. It appears the relevant organisations are listening to the feedback (and the results) and acting accordingly. I personally do think the rotational nature of a TC was best for me.
As the LPC phases out, I think there is perhaps the potential for an unofficial tiering/hierarchy in the qualification route. I do think the skills taught through both routes do prepare you for life as a lawyer and if you are absolutely certain on what area you want to qualify into, the SQE is ideal.
I think there is a strong pressure on law firms to take a view on this and support the SQE. Most firms now do this, and it definitely feels like the way forward, at least for now!
12. In your opinion, which route better prepares solicitors for the realities of legal practice, and why?
Hayley (SQE): I believe there are pros and cons to both routes, but I don’t feel that one necessarily prepares you better for legal practice than the other, as for both you are required to do at least 2 years work experience.
A training contract does generally offer more structure and ensures that trainees are exposed to different areas of law.
In contrast, the SQE route provides flexibility as trainees are not required to secure a training contract, something which for a long time has been a barrier to a career in law. This flexibility will hopefully also create greater accessibility to a career in law, so that the profession can become more diverse. You can also build greater experience in a particular area of law if you know that is the area you want to qualify into.
Chloe-Ann (LPC): I think probably SQE given that there is greater exposure to the practice area you are qualifying into. Two years in one area must give you a lot more confidence than six months. That said, moving teams during training gives you great exposure to other skills and practice areas which can help you add value to your team and your clients.
13. How did you manage work-life balance during your training? Do you think the route you chose made this easier or harder?
Hayley (SQE): A work-life balance was difficult to maintain during my SQE study and I had to remind myself many times that the sacrifice would be worth it! At the current time there are many different SQE course providers and therefore it seems a bit of a minefield in terms of who to put your trust (and money) in. Most, if not all, are exclusively distance learning and some offer more structure than others. I did not take the LPC route but from what I understand from others, it is a less stressful and demanding route.
Chloe-Ann (LPC): I think the LPC route is substantially easier for balancing work/study. Most of those I know who have done/are doing the SQE do this alongside working, although not essential. I think the LPC is generally less intense than SQE 1. Speaking informally, it seems as though the LPC is the middle balance of stress/demand/commitment between SQE 1 and SQE 2. I found being able to study the LPC for one year and then focus on training was a huge help.
14. With the SQE becoming more prevalent, where do you see the future of solicitor training going? What improvements, if any, would you make to either route?
Hayley (SQE): The SQE will soon become the only route to qualification, but despite this I still see some resistance to change in the legal profession. There is a level of snobbery from some and it has been suggested to me in the past that I have a lesser qualification because I have qualified through the SQE route.
Firms will need to navigate the new qualification. Although there will continue to be many like me who wish to consolidate their learning and experience by qualifying as a solicitor, I think that to guarantee a level of commitment from future trainees many firms will develop a scheme which replicates the traditional training contract. Whether this will result in the training contract bottleneck that the SQE was in part meant to negate, remains to be seen.
Chloe-Ann (LPC): I think the SQE has broadened the qualification pathway. I still feel there is a reluctance to accept the SQE (from students who feel that path is quite daunting), although perhaps it is just still unfamiliar for many. I think solicitor training will continue to be more flexible and fluid. As I understand it, the SQE intends to be more practical focused and helps tick off competencies in a more 'real life' way. As an outsider, I see it like a fast-tracked apprenticeship. I think a shift to open up these options and different routes will continue.
Any way to increase accessibility into the profession is needed. Whether that is alternative schemes that allow flexibility for caring responsibilities, or more funding options, I think we will eventually see change and that's a good thing.
15. If you could give one piece of advice to a trainee solicitor, what would it be?
Hayley (SQE): Embarking on your journey as a trainee solicitor is a remarkable achievement and a testament to the dedication and hard work you have already invested. Remember, every challenge you face is an opportunity to grow and refine your skills. Embrace continuous learning, and don’t hesitate to seek guidance from mentors and colleagues. Believe in your abilities and keep pushing forward – you’ve got this!
Chloe-Ann (LPC): Be patient. You've made it this far, you are evidently diligent, conscientious and committed to the career. There's no rush to understand, achieve and develop. Take ownership of your progression but everyone has their own timeline, their own detours and their own journey. Stick to yours and enjoy it!
In summary, the introduction of the SQE marks a significant shift in how solicitors qualify in England and Wales, offering a more flexible approach compared to the LPC. This flexibility should allow greater accessibility to a career in law for a wider range of students, so that in turn the profession can become more diverse in every way.
As the SQE becomes the norm, it’s important for aspiring solicitors to understand this new qualification route and the opportunities it presents. While the LPC may still be relevant for those already on that path, the future of legal qualification is firmly rooted in the SQE, and it’s clear that this new system is here to stay.
For more information of NQ roles on qualification, whether after completion of the LPC/TC or SQE route, please do contact Hannah Somers, an experienced consultant in the Chadwick Nott South West team, for a conversation about the market:
(T): 0117 917 1929
(E): hannahsomers@chadwicknott.co.uk
