Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) How to Choose a Course Provider …

The Legal Services Board gave the SQE the green light. That means from 1 September 2021 anyone who wants to qualify as a solicitor will have to go down this route, unless they fall into the transition period or are exempt.

The SQE is a hot topic and there are so many questions about it and so much information available from a range of different sources. So many people are now starting to look at SQE course providers asking:

-       who is offering what?

-       at what price?

-       what does it include?

-       who should I go with?

Neeta Halai of New Heights Training works with international lawyers worldwide coaching and training them to successfully qualify as a solicitor in England and Wales. She has worked with lawyers from six of the seven continents and her knowledge and her insight about the SQE has resulted in her writing a book called Skilfully Passing the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) which will be published by Bloomsbury and is out in January 2021.

The focus of the book is to help anyone looking to qualify as a solicitor, providing guidance, advice, tools and techniques to think about and use from the start to the end of the SQE journey.

The book incorporates cutting edge communication skills using the psychology of human behaviour. The book is not an academic law textbook (it will complement any SQE course materials) by providing you with practical guidance on how to pass the SQE recognising the key qualities and skills required from 21st century lawyers. The book will help you: Plan. Prep. Pass.

Here is a link to read more about what Skilfully Passing the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) will cover:

https://www.bloomsburyprofessional.com/uk/skilfully-passing-the-solicitors-qualifying-examination-sqe-9781526512192/

The SQE book does not endorse any education or training providers in the spirit of fairness and transparency nor has it been sponsored by any businesses. The aim is to practically help you make a decision about which law school or training provider to choose by asking good questions. The book is very practical on how to approach the whole SQE journey from start to finish. It will also benefit law schools and universities who offer the SQE by understanding what the book recommends anyone doing the SQE should look for in studying formats offered for the SQE course materials.

There are already plenty of resources available about factual information on the SQE. You should go to the SRA website for accurate information on any updates. The SRA have released the latest SQE November update which you can read about here:

https://www.sra.org.uk/sra/news/sqe-update/november-2020/

Before you think about which course provider to do the SQE preparation course with, you should have a good idea of what it entails; that will enable you to ask good questions when doing your research.

Choosing an SQE Course Provider

No education or training provider can tell you confidently that they have the best materials to help you pass. What they can do is justify why they think they have the edge over any other providers. But do not take it at face value and do your own research.

Many education and training providers are adapting their existing courses to accommodate the new SQE format. Some training providers are joining forces and working with universities to maximise their chances of capturing the SQE market.

Many people interested in the SQE have already started looking at what providers are offering. At the time of writing, only a few have come forward with their costs and services. Cost will always be a key consideration if you are self-funding. Do your research as to who is providing the best options and study formats for you. Any providers that are ready are confident that they can offer you a service now. You have to decide on the value of what they are offering you.

This is when you have to start asking good questions and probe into what you are getting for your money. Create a comparison chart to help you work out the key differences and then make a decision.

Ask Good Questions.

‘How do I know what questions to ask when I don’t know what I should be looking for when choosing a provider?’

This is a question that may go through your mind. Knowledge is key. You need to know what the SQE entails to be able to ask good questions about it. The SRA have released samples of SQE Part 1 and SQE Part 2 – both are the standard and depth of what you can expect in the exams.

If you are new to law and have not studied it all, it is still a good idea to download them and have a look at the samples – not to be able to do them, but to see how the samples are set out and what they include. It gives you an idea of what you can expect. If you are already a lawyer, you should get familiar with the quality and depth using the samples when thinking about a provider.

Good questions are open and probing questions. So, you want an overview of what a provider is offering you and then want to probe by asking specific questions relating to each part of the SQE.

You do not have to do your SQE preparatory course with the same provider for both parts – you can pick and choose who offers you the best quality and value for each part. Do not feel the pressure to buy a ‘package’ until you have worked out what is being offered and whether it works for you. As a reminder:

-       SQE Part 1 tests your knowledge of the law through 360 multiple choice questions.

-       SQE Part 2 tests you on 16 practical skills assessments (4 x oral skills and 12 x written skills) which will assess you equally on the law and skills.

What is the SQE?

You will need a degree or the equivalent before you can do the SQE.

Think of the SQE as 4 stages that you need to satisfy to qualify as a solicitor in England and Wales:

(1) SQE Part 1: Functional Legal Knowledge Assessments (FLK)

(2) SQE Part 2: Practical Legal Skills Assessments (PLS)

(3) Qualified Work Experience (QWE)

(4) Character and Suitability

• SQE Part 1: FLK

This part consists of 360 multiple choice questions over two consecutive days. These multiple choice tests will assess your knowledge of the law. What it includes is more than core subjects you study on a law degree or conversion course (ie Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)) – it covers the substantive law and procedures. For example; land law and property practice; contract law and business law and practice. Think of it as the law degree and the Legal Practice Course (LPC) combined.

You are also assessed at a higher standard of a newly qualified solicitor (ie with at least two years work experience) rather than a trainee solicitor.

• SQE Part 2: PLS

This part consists of 16 assessments split between oral and written assessments. You will do 4 oral assessments and 12 written assessments.

·       Oral Assessments

(1)  Client Interviewing Skills

(2)  Advocacy

·       Written Assessments

(1)  Case and Matter Analysis

(2)  Legal Writing

(3)  Legal Drafting

(4)  Legal Research

•  Qualifying Work Experience (QWE)

You need to have a minimum of two years and have flexibility on how this work experience is obtained. It can be done in up to four different organisations and businesses. The SRA have clarified what can count and there is a lot of flexibility. For example, work experience obtained abroad is valid. More information is available here:

https://www.sra.org.uk/trainees/qualifying-work-experience/qualifying-work-experience-trainees/

Start ‘banking’ your legal work experience – it can count even before you do the SQE. If you work in a firm or organisation that does not have the resources (ie time) to work out what the requirements are – do the homework for them and tell them what they need to do and how you can help them – the SRA have provided a link for employers but it can benefit everyone from reading it to see what is required:

https://www.sra.org.uk/trainees/qualifying-work-experience/qualifying-work-experience-employers/

You will need to evidence your QWE before qualification. The SRA have shared a template that you can download and adapt. Here is the link:

https://www.sra.org.uk/qwe-training-template

Remember the solicitor or compliance officer who signs off your work experience is only signing that you have had the chance to develop some or all of the competences required; not that you are competent. The SQE Part 2 tests your competence.

• Character and Suitability

If, for whatever reason you are not of clean character this is something that should be borne in mind before you embark on the SQE. You may underestimate the importance of it if it was a long time ago etc – so get clarification from the SRA as to whether it will affect your eligibility to qualify as a solicitor.

You have to do a full DBS check before admission as a solicitor and pass the SRA character and suitability requirement (there are different levels of consideration for criminal convictions, cheating/plagiarism etc).

So the SRA’s decision is final. Therefore, if they refuse your admission to qualify as a solicitor you can ask for a review but only if you can show a material change in your circumstances. So, it makes sense to do this at the beginning of the process if you are affected by any character and suitability issues.

Are there any SQE exemptions?

Only qualified lawyers with practice rights can apply for exemptions. They have to show they can map across their experience and education to the equivalent of the SQE.

You can only be exempt from a ‘whole’ part of the SQE – that means you cannot get an exemption for practice areas of the law that you are expert in or have a lot of experience. Exemptions apply for:

-       SQE Part 1: exempt from the whole day for FLK1 and/or FLK2.

-       SQE Part 2: exempt from the whole of the SQE Part 2.

-       Qualifying Work Experience (QWE): exempt from the full two years.

Any foreign jurisdiction lawyers can do the SQE but if you do want to qualify for any exemptions you will need to show that their home jurisdiction meets the exemption requirements.

Transitional Period

• Qualified Lawyers

The existing route to qualification is the Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme (QLTS). If you have not passed the MCT by July 2021 your only option will be the SQE.

If you fall within the transitional period, you do have the option to complete the QLTS (OSCE) or switch to the SQE Part 2. See the SRA website for final dates by which you will need to be in the admissions process to qualify as a solicitor in your chosen route. It is shorter if you opt for the OSCE route (August 2022) and longer if you opt for the SQE Part 2 route (August 2023).

There has been a surge of interest to qualify under the existing QLTS route so keep an eye on the Kaplan QLTS website for updates and when bookings are open because availability will be limited.

• Students / Aspiring Solicitors (Working)

If you are already in the process of doing a course through the traditional route or registered (ie paid a deposit) to do one of the traditional route courses, you can continue down the traditional route. Examples of traditional courses include the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) or Legal Practice Course (LPC). You will have until 2032 to complete any the existing route courses, as long as they are available. After the 1 September 2021 everyone else will be required to do the SQE.

If you fall in the transitional period when the SQE comes in next year – you could switch to the SQE.

You will not qualify for any exemptions but may be able to show equivalent means (ie you have done the LPC and passed it, so it is equivalent to the SQE Part 1). This might be a consideration if you struggle to find a training contract under the traditional route. Of course, there is an additional cost implication if you decide to switch to the SQE because you will have to pay do the SQE Part 2. However, it does offer you flexibility on how you obtain your legal work experience to count as qualifying work experience (QWE). You may already have enough of it to count which can allow you to qualify as a solicitor much quicker.

Good Questions Guidance ...

First of all decide whether you are interested in online only or a blended option. That will help you direct any questions to how it will help you logistically and practically.

Then think about asking questions around the quality and depth of materials. Some things to think about:

·       SQE Part 1: FLK – Question Considerations

Do not be blinded by the number of MCQs offered – but ask about the quality of them (do they come across similar to the sample of 90 MCQs provided by the SRA?). How many questions are offered for each subject area of the law – there are many! Ask them about the format offered and whether it is similar to the SRA samples.

·       SQE Part 2: PLS – Question Considerations

The way you are tested for this part is different to SQE Part 1. Your English language is tested by your understanding of the law explained through your oral and written skills. The skills assessed are very differently to the MCQs. You are assessed on both law and skills equally.

You may think you can cram the law (if you did it for SQE Part 1) but you cannot cram learning the skills. Note, many lawyers who do the QLTS OSCE range from partners to junior lawyers and find it challenging (the OSCE is the equivalent part to PLS).

Think about what support you want for the law and skills part. The law is easier because it is tangible but the skills part is more difficult because they are intangible, so their importance is often overlooked.

Neeta Halai's book covers key information about what to consider for the SQE from start to finish. Think of Skilfully Passing the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) as an ‘aperitif’ to help you on your SQE journey to successfully: Plan. Prep. Pass.

Ultimately leading to your success!

For updates on the SQE and the SQE book – below are the different ways to connect:

Instagram: @neeta.halai                          Linkedin Group: join the 'SQE Support Group'

Facebook: New Heights Training            Twitter: @NeetaHalai

Website: New Heights Training