Introduced in September 2021, the Solicitors Qualifying Exam has reformed how solicitors qualify in England and Wales. Reports into the first year shows that good progress has been made in implementation of the assessment. More than 3000 candidates across 42 countries have so far sat the exam, with the SQE Independent Reviewer Report concluding that…
The Solicitors Regulation Authority of England and Wales annual compliance officers conference goes hybrid
This key annual conference attracted 600 people to the face-to-face event, followed by more than 33,000 views of virtual sessions the following week. The programme covered topics including: Money laundering The SQE and what it means for your firm Innovation and technology – how can technology help firms spot risks and comply with regulatory obligations…
Positive response ahead of new solicitor exam’s first sitting
More than a thousand people have signed up to take the first ever Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) assessment in November. The new single assessment sets consistent high standards for solicitors at the point of entry into the profession. Bookings for the first SQE1 assessment closed last week. The majority of bookings – 74 per cent –…
New solicitor qualification regime approved in England and Wales
The SRA’s new Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) has been formally approved by the Legal Services Board (LSB). The new examination will be officially introduced in September 2021, with the first assessments for SQE1, the first part of the qualification, taking place in November 2021, and the first assessments for SQE2 taking place in April 2022….
SQE to be introduced in Autumn 2021
The new assessment to ensure consistent, high standards for qualifying solicitors – the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) – will be introduced in autumn 2021, with the candidate fee likely to range between £3,000 – £4,500. We had previously proposed a launch date of no earlier than autumn 2020. We have now responded to feedback from…
The new route to qualification as a solicitor: the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE)
In April 2017, the SRA announced that it would be introducing a new national licensing exam for those wishing to be admitted as solicitors of England and Wales, the Solicitors Qualifying Examination, or the SQE. Where did this idea come from? And why is reform necessary? What is the current system for qualification as a…