SQE

Copyright © 2026 LexisNexis

Since its introduction in September 2021, the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) has been gradually replacing the training contract as the route to qualification for aspiring solicitors.

This subtopic explains the SQE and key implications for employers offering training and work experience to aspiring solicitors.

For information on the training contract route to qualification, see subtopic: Training contracts.

For information on the apprenticeship route to qualification, see Practice Note: Solicitor apprenticeships.

The SQE route to qualification

In order to qualify as a solicitor under the SQE, the candidate must:

  1. •

    have a UK degree in any subject (or a qualification or experience that is equivalent to a degree—this would...

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.

Existing user? Sign-in TAKE A FREE TRIAL
Powered by Lexis+®
Latest Practice Management News

DBT updates timeline on implementation of ERA 2025

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has updated its Plan to Make Work Pay and Employment Rights Act: timeline update to reflect numerous...

UK weighs forcing employers to put pay ranges in job ads

Law360: The government proposed on 14 July 2026 requirements for employers to disclose a salary range to job applicants as part of a consultation on...

Acas publishes revised draft code of practice on time off for trade union duties and activities

The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) has published a revised draft code of practice on time off for trade union duties and...

DBT consults on workplace monitoring technologies

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has launched a consultation seeking views on proposals to support the fair, transparent and responsible...

View Practice Management by content type :  
News
Practice notes
Precedents
Q&As

Popular documents

If a rentcharge is shown as being informally exonerated on title information, does this apply to the

If a rentcharge is shown as being informally exonerated on title information, does this apply to the current registered owner? Or does the informal exoneration only apply to the parties to the document which informally exonerated the rentcharge?This Q&A considers the situation where, at some point

Late payment penalties—inheritance tax

Late payment penalties—inheritance taxWhile interest often accrues on overdue tax, the late payment of certain taxes may also attract a penalty. For information on the interest accruing on overdue tax, see Practice Notes: IHT—payment deadlines on death—Interest on IHT and Interest on late paid

If a beneficiary signs a deed of disclaimer of their share of an estate and the estate pays their legal

If a beneficiary signs a deed of disclaimer of their share of an estate and the estate pays their legal fees, will that count as a PET against their estate?A disclaimer is the refusal of a gift prior to acceptance. The refusal of the gift must take place before the beneficiary accepts any benefit

Can shares in a limited company that have not been paid-up at all be cancelled?

Can shares in a limited company that have not been paid-up at all be cancelled?A limited company having a share capital may not alter that share capital, except in the ways listed in section 617 of the Companies Act 2006 (CA 2006). Shares in a company cannot simply be cancelled without following an
If a rentcharge is shown as being informally exonerated on title information, does this apply to the

If a rentcharge is shown as being informally exonerated on title information, does this apply to the

If a rentcharge is shown as being informally exonerated on title information, does this apply to the current registered owner? Or does the informal exoneration only apply to the parties to the document which informally exonerated the rentcharge?This Q&A considers the situation where, at some point

Late payment penalties—inheritance tax

Late payment penalties—inheritance tax

Late payment penalties—inheritance taxWhile interest often accrues on overdue tax, the late payment of certain taxes may also attract a penalty. For information on the interest accruing on overdue tax, see Practice Notes: IHT—payment deadlines on death—Interest on IHT and Interest on late paid

If a beneficiary signs a deed of disclaimer of their share of an estate and the estate pays their legal

If a beneficiary signs a deed of disclaimer of their share of an estate and the estate pays their legal

If a beneficiary signs a deed of disclaimer of their share of an estate and the estate pays their legal fees, will that count as a PET against their estate?A disclaimer is the refusal of a gift prior to acceptance. The refusal of the gift must take place before the beneficiary accepts any benefit

Can shares in a limited company that have not been paid-up at all be cancelled?

Can shares in a limited company that have not been paid-up at all be cancelled?

Can shares in a limited company that have not been paid-up at all be cancelled?A limited company having a share capital may not alter that share capital, except in the ways listed in section 617 of the Companies Act 2006 (CA 2006). Shares in a company cannot simply be cancelled without following an