01 May 2022
The Career Pathway of a Solicitor
You may have reached that point in your career journey where you have decided to become a solicitor yet you may not know how exactly to get there. Do not worry, this article will outline the latest regulations from the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) coming in action as of September 2021 and what this will entail for you and your journey.
Law Students
As a law student wanting to pursue a career as a commercial solicitor, the first requirement will be to complete a qualifying law degree - pretty easy as you’re probably doing one. Qualifying law degrees include LLB and law language based degrees however if you are unsure see whether your degree type is listed on SRA’s website.
After university you will have to complete the Solicitor’s Qualifying Exam (SQE). This is a new introduction as previously you would have to undergo the Legal Practice Course (LPC). Instead, now you will undergo 2 stages of SQE assessments known as SQE1 and SQE2 focussing on functional legal knowledge and legal skills and knowledge. Universities such as the University of Law and BPP provide SQE courses so can be a great place to start your research. Additionally if you have obtained a Training Contract (TC) prior to commencing your SQE studies, your future employer may have specific requirements or tailored courses unique to their firm so speak to the requisite Graduate Recruitment team to learn more about the process.
Following on from the SQE you will have to complete two years of SRA recognised Qualifying Work Experience (QWE). The SRA has widened the scope of QWE which allows for more flexibility and opportunity for you to gain QWE. The current guidance indicates that it can be up to four organisations, in paid or volunteer work and could be on placement. This means experiences such as working in a legal clinic, paralegalling and TCs will all qualify as work experience for the purposes of becoming a solicitor. Even though you have to complete the SQE prior to beginning your QWE, employers understand and are flexible to leaving the requisite years to your studies so do not be afraid to apply for graduate opportunities prior to beginning the SQE, especially as graduate opportunities can make the transitioning process from SQE to QWE a lot more streamlined.
After two years, you are almost done! All that is left is to send your application to the SRA to be registered as a solicitor, you may be required to undergo a Character Suitability test. After it is completed - you are officially a lawyer, you can breathe a sigh of relief!
Non-Law Students
The SRA regulations will also impact any non-law students interested in a law degree. If you are doing a non-law degree, you will not be barred from becoming a solicitor. In some industries such as commercial law, employers are hiring around a 50:50 split of law to non-law candidates.
First, you will have to complete a Level 6 degree in any subject. This is the only requirement therefore you may even complete a STEM degree and pursue a law career.
Previously, Non-Law students would undergo an additional year of study to achieve a graduate diploma in law (GDL) before beginning their LPC course. Following the new regulations, they no longer have to complete the GDL and can immediately take the SQE alongside the law students. Many academic institutions however have begun to provide “SQE preparatory materials” to facilitate the learning process for Non-Law students.
The rest of the path is the same as that of a law student, requiring QWE and an application to the SRA. Additionally, Non-Law students have opportunities to also apply for graduate opportunities in the legal sector - many employers offset it by a year. Opportunities that are available to first year law students are available to penultimate law students therefore many graduate schemes would be available in the final year of your Non-Law degree which can be a great opportunity to secure if this the career truly for you.
Conclusion
The recent SRA regulations have not made the process any less confusing, with many firms and institutions figuring out how to properly implement them so if you’re a little bit lost - you’re not alone! Hopefully, this article has clarified the journey to becoming a solicitor and now you have more confidence to continue in your career journey. However, this technical path does not mean that you have start your legal journey after university. If you know this is the path for you, you may begin upskilling yourself through extracurricular activities and attending networking events. To learn more about you can begin your legal journey in detail click here [a link for a potential future article].
