Since September 2021 the route to qualify as a solicitor in England & Wales is the SQE: a degree (any subject) plus SQE1 (functioning legal knowledge) and SQE2 (practical legal skills), two years of Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) (across up to four organisations, before/during/after the SQE, signed off by a solicitor or COLP), and a character & suitability assessment — leading to SRA admission and the roll. The former LPC + training-contract route remains available transitionally until around 2032.
Sources & verification
- Since 2021 solicitors qualify via the SQE (SQE1 + SQE2) plus a degree, two years' Qualifying Work Experience and a character & suitability assessment; the LPC route is transitional until ~2032 — 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.