As a qualified lawyer, you may not need to sit through all the SQE assessments to become a solicitor in England and Wales. Here’s everything you need to know about SQE exemptions and how to apply for them.
What is an SQE Exemption?
However, you can only apply for an exemption if your legal qualifications and experience match the SQE content and standards.
Who is a Qualified Lawyer?
A qualified lawyer is someone who holds a professional legal qualification that grants the right to practise law either in England and Wales or in another jurisdiction.
Applying for an Exemption
If you believe you may be entitled to an SQE exemption, apply to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) before booking any assessments. The SRA will evaluate your legal qualifications and experience to determine if you’re exempt from any part of the SQE.
Possible Exemptions
You can apply for an exemption from either SQE1 and/or SQE2. However, the threshold for exemptions from SQE1 is very high.
- SQE1 Functioning Legal Knowledge (FLK) 1
- SQE1 Functioning Legal Knowledge (FLK) 2
- SQE2
Important: The SRA grants exemptions only for full parts of an assessment, not partial exemptions.
Key Considerations
- You cannot apply for an exemption from an assessment you’ve previously failed. You must retake and pass the failed assessment.
- Don’t book an SQE assessment while applying for an exemption. If your exemption is granted post-booking, cancellation may apply.
Who Can Apply?
Exemptions are available only to qualified lawyers admitted in a jurisdiction with practising rights in areas such as:
- Criminal litigation
- Civil litigation
- Property practice
- Wills and probate
- Business organisations
A Certificate of Good Standing from your regulatory body is required when applying for admission.
