The old Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme (QLTS) has been replaced: qualified foreign lawyers now become English solicitors via the SQE. Two reliefs apply — foreign-qualified lawyers are automatically exempt from QWE, and lawyers from pre-agreed jurisdictions with at least two years’ experience may receive an SQE2 exemption (leaving only SQE1). SQE1 exemptions are rare, so most foreign lawyers still sit SQE1. This makes England comparatively accessible to qualified foreign lawyers.
Sources & verification
- The QLTS is replaced by the SQE for foreign lawyers; they are automatically exempt from QWE and may get an SQE2 exemption from pre-agreed jurisdictions, but SQE1 exemptions are rare — source, verified 2026-06-12
Verified reference information — not professional, medical, legal or careers advice. Regulations change; always check the cited primary source before relying on it.