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Until 31 August 2021, the main route to solicitor qualification (training contract route) required completion of:

1. •

   the academic stage of training at an approved education provider, ie:

   1. â—¦

      a qualifying law degree

   2. â—¦

      the Common Professional Examination (CPE)

   3. â—¦

      an exempting law degree, or

   4. â—¦

      an integrated course

2. •

   the vocational stage of training, ie

   1. â—¦

      the Legal Practice Course (LPC)

   2. â—¦

      a required period of recognised training, ie a training contract with an authorised training provider, and

   3. â—¦

      the Professional Skills Course

The candidate must also satisfy the SRA’s character and suitability requirements.

As an alternative, it has been possible to qualify as a solicitor via a legal apprenticeship.

Since 1 September 2021, there is a new route to qualification for aspiring solicitors—the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE).

After a transitional period, when all three routes will be available, the SQE will replace the training contract route. The apprenticeship route will remain, but qualification following an apprenticeship will be via the SQE.

This Practice Note explains