QUALIFYING AS A BARRISTER OR SOLICITOR IN ENGLAND & WALES

Pursuing a career as a barrister or solicitor can seem daunting, but with the right support, it can become an interesting and rewarding journey filled with invaluable opportunities. Your path to qualification hinges on whether you aspire to be a barrister or a solicitor. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the different pathways to qualifying. Whether your dream is to advocate in the courtroom or offer expert legal advice in that prestigious firm, understanding these distinct routes is the first step to becoming that legal professional.

The Barrister’s Route

• Stage 1: The Academic Component

To start your journey to becoming a barrister, you must complete either a law degree or any non-law degree followed by a law conversion course with the most common one being the Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL). This stage typically covers the foundational areas of legal knowledge. While the minimum undergraduate requirement is usually a 2:2, you will realistically need at least a 2:1 to progress to the next stage. 

• Stage 2: The Vocational Component

Enrol in a Bar Training Course with an education provider approved by the Bar Standards Board (BSB). Detailed information about Authorised Education and Training Organisations (AETOs) and the courses they offer can be found on the BSB website.

 Some course providers offer the option to combine Bar Training with a Master’s qualification which can be achieved through pro bono work, a dissertation or taking optional modules depending on the provider. It is important for prospective barristers to explore all available options in order to make an informed decision on where to study. 

At least 12 weeks before starting the Bar Course, you must apply to become a member of one of the four Inns of Court which include: Inner Temple, Middle Temple, Gray’s Inn and Lincoln’s Inn. Joining an Inn is essential because the vocational stage includes attending qualifying sessions at your Inn of Court; a prerequisite to qualifying as a barrister. The Inns also conduct the ‘fit and proper person’ test which prospective barristers must pass after graduating from the Bar Course.

 Upon successful completion of the Bar Course, you will be "Called to the Bar." However, you must complete pupillage, a period of work-based learning, before practising as a barrister in England & Wales. Completion of the Bar Course is necessary to be eligible for pupillage.

• Stage 3: The Pupillage Component

Pupillage is the practical training stage where you will receive on-the-job training as a pupil barrister at chambers or other organisation, and have the chance to practice the skills and knowledge developed during the Bar Course. The training period usually takes a year to complete, but some pupillages last 18 months. Pupillages are generally divided into two periods: your non-practising period (known as a 'first six') and your practising period (known as a 'second six')

Transferring Lawyers:

If you are a qualified lawyer or legal academic from another jurisdiction seeking to practise as a barrister in England and Wales, you must transfer to the Bar. Depending on your qualifications and background, you may qualify for exemptions from some training requirements. More details on the process for transferring to the Bar through this route can be accessed on the Bar Standards Board website. 

The Solicitor’s Route

• Stage 1: Academic Qualification

Have a degree-level qualification in any subject from any recognised jurisdiction. 

• Stage 2: Solicitors Qualifying Examination

You must pass the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) which consists of 2 parts: SQE1 and SQE2 exams. SQE1 assesses your application of Functioning Legal Knowledge through single-best answer multiple-choice questions across different subject areas. The SQE2 focuses on practical legal skills assessments. You are eligible to book and take SQE2 only after successfully passing SQE1, or if the SRA has granted you a complete exemption from SQE1.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) provides details on institutions that offer SQE education and training services, and those that produce study materials and resources related to the subject. For more information please refer to the SRA’s list of training providers.

• Stage 3: Qualifying Work Experience

You must gain at least two years of full-time (or equivalent) Qualifying Work Experience (QWE). Qualifying Work Experience involves providing legal services and developing the competencies needed to practice as a solicitor. You have flexibility in how, when and where you gain QWE. Various options are available including traditional routes like training contracts, as well as other work experiences such as summer placements, paralegal work or volunteering in legal advice centres. Experience from previous roles can also count towards QWE.

QWE can be accumulated in one block such as a 2-year training contract or in stages across up to a maximum of four different organisations. For example, spending eight months doing voluntary work in a legal advice centre plus a further 16 months working as a paid paralegal in a law firm; when counted together, the time spent working in these two different settings would meet the two-year QWE requirement.

QWE can be acquired in England, Wales or abroad, and it is not required to exclusively cover English and Welsh law. Whilst candidates must possess this knowledge to undertake the SQE assessment, they are not obligated to gain this specifically through their work experience.

• Stage 4: Character and Suitability

All candidates seeking admission to the roll of solicitors must meet the SRA’s character and suitability requirements, such as having no criminal record, no history of dishonest or violent behaviour and no record of deliberate assessment offences like plagiarism or cheating to gain an unfair advantage as described by an education establishment.

More on the SQE...

• Are law conversion courses (e.g., PGDL) required for non-law graduates before taking the SQE?

With the implementation of the SQE, there are now integrated courses available which combine law conversion with SQE preparation and/or a master’s degree. This allows individuals with non-law degrees to pursue the SQE without requiring a separate law conversion course. However, some law schools propose that completing a law conversion course may be advantageous for non-law graduates or law graduates from foreign countries to adequately prepare for legal practice.

• Am I eligible for any exemptions from the SQE?

You may qualify for exemptions from parts of the SQE if you are a qualified lawyer from another jurisdiction seeking dual qualification in England and Wales through the SQE. Information on exemptions, eligibility criteria, and the application procedure can be found on the SRA website.

Individuals who have completed the Legal Practice Course (LPC) can also use QWE and SQE2 as an equivalent to a period of recognised training (training contract) without needing to complete SQE1. This option does not constitute an exemption but serves as an alternative for those following the LPC transitional route.

How Can The BAME Woman in Law Support Your Legal Journey?

At The BAME Woman in Law, we offer a Mentorship Programme for Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) women residing in England and Wales who are studying or working in law. Our mentors provide detailed guidance on pathways to qualifying and other related subjects to our mentees.

Our Mentorship Programme runs in two phases every year: February - June and August - December. If you meet the eligibility requirements, you can apply when applications are open. If you are not eligible, you might benefit from joining our Community, Interactive Workshop Sessions, Networking Events or the resources available on our Learning Hub and social media pages.