(Eng)イングランド＆ウェールズ弁護資格取得への道①

初めまして、現在ロンドンにあるロースクールに留学中のShoです。

英語力向上と書く力と様々な知識を増やすため、noteを書いています。
今日は、イングランド＆ウェールズ弁護資格取得の要件の一つであるSQEについて書いていきたいと思います。

Intro:

The Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) is a new pathway to becoming a qualified solicitor in England and Wales, which replaces the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) and Legal Practice Course (LPC) starting in September 2021. There are numerous benefits to taking this new route to qualification. This blog will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the SQE. During my research for the SQE, I had to visit multiple websites to gather all the necessary information. It was quite a challenging task, but I hope this blog will be valuable and helpful for those who wish to take the SQE.

What is SQE?

For those unfamiliar, SQE is a new centralized exam for aspiring solicitors. The exam consists of two stages and will be assessed on a pass/fail basis, with SQE1 and SQE2 both required to be completed. The exam consists of two stages and will be assessed on a pass/fail basis, with SQE1 and SQE2 both required to be completed. The exam consists of two stages and will be assessed on a pass/fail basis, with SQE1 and SQE2 both required to be completed. Each exam is held on different dates: SQE1 takes place in January and July, while SQE2 takes place in January, April, July, and October. You can only book and sit SQE2 after passing SQE1. Results will be published 5-6 weeks after the assessment. The deadline for submitting an application is around five weeks before the assessment date. Additionally, it is possible to sit for the SQE examination in locations outside of the UK, such as Australia, the USA, Canada, New Zealand, and others. Passing the exam on the first try is crucial, as candidates are only permitted to take three attempts at both SQE1 and SQE2. The entire examination must be completed within six years of undertaking the first SQE assessment. The cost of taking the SQE is £4,115 and is split into two parts: £1622 for SQE1 and £2493 for SQE2. As the exams are costly and allow only 3 attempts, it is advisable to begin preparation as early as possible.

Requirements

To qualify through the SQE, you must meet the following requirements:
Hold a degree in any subject or an equivalent level 6 qualification, and
pass both stages of the SQE assessment.
Two years full-time (or equivalent) qualifying work experience.
Pass the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)'s character and suitability requirements.

Examined Subjects

The two exam tests functioning legal knowledge (FLK). In SQE1, there are a total of 180 multiple-choice questions, which will be divided into 90 questions each. The SQE1 will take 153 minutes (2 hours and 33 minutes in total) and will be conducted via computer. As a result, you will have less than 2 minutes to answer each question. During the interval between the two sessions, the candidate is entitled to a one-hour break. The oral assessment for SQE2 will span two consecutive days. Then the written exam will span over three consecutive days, and the same applies to the oral exam. Each day will last only a few hours.

Below is the evaluation breakdown of topics covered in each test.
SQE1 of FLK1 consists of six subjects, namely:
-Business Law and Practice
-Dispute Resolution
-Contract Law
-Tort Law
-The Legal System of England and Wales
-Constitutional and Administrative Law, including EU Law and Legal Services.

FLK2 comprises the following subjects:
-Property practice
-Wills and administration of estates
-Solicitors accounts
-Land law
-Trusts
-Criminal law and practice

However, the SQE 2 tests practical legal skills through 16 practical exercises, including 4 oral skills assessments and 12 written assessments.

The SQE 2 assesses skills in:
-Client interview and attendance note/legal analysis
-Advocacy
-Case matter analysis
-Legal research
-Legal writing
-Legal drafting

The practice contexts in the SQE2 are;
Criminal Litigation
Dispute resolution
Property practice
Wills and intestacy, probate administration and practice
Business organisation's rules and procedures

How long does it take to complete SQE training and become a qualified solicitor?

As SQE has become the main route to becoming a qualified lawyer in England and Wales, this blog will take a look at the route and the steps that law graduates and non-law graduates will need to take.

For law graduates:
Study an undergraduate law degree (LLB) → pass SQE1 and SQE2 → Complete a two-year of qualifying legal work experience (QWE) → Satisfy the SRA suitability and character requirements → Qualify as a solicitor.

*It is common to study for the SQE part-time, then work for two-year QWE full-time. This route is more time-efficient.

For non-law graduates:
Study for a degree in any subject or equivalent level 6 qualification→
Take an SQE preparation course or self study→ Complete two-year of qualifying legal work experience (QWE)→ Meet the SRA suitability and character requirements → Qualify as a solicitor

It can be stated that qualifying in England and Wales has become faster and more cost-effective with either route than the traditional GDL and LPC methods.

SQE preparation providers

As some candidates may require an SQE preparation course, this blog post provides suggestions for some of the providers.
Preparing for the SQE is a serious undertaking and requires sufficient time to fully prepare for the exam. The Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme recommends a preparation time of approximately 9-12 months for both SQE1 and SQE2, with around 15-20 hours per week dedicated to studying. It should take approximately 3-4 months to prepare for the examination. It is not uncommon for candidates to take preparation courses for up to 18 months.

The listed institutions offer various courses to prepare for the SQE. In my opinion, taking a course allows for a more structured study plan as the course materials are curated by experts.

-BPP University Law School
The institution offers a range of courses including the SQE Starter Course, SQE1 and SQE2 preparation courses, LLM SQE1&2, SQE1&2 Diploma, LLM Law Conversion with SQE1, and more.

-The University of Law
The institution offers courses such as SQE Law Essentials, LLM Legal Practice (SQE1&2), SQE1 preparation course, SQE2 preparation course, and additional options.

-Barbri
The institution offers SQE foundations, SQE1 prep course, and SQE2 prep course. Personally, Barbri is the most popular institution to take around my coursemates. It is because the tuition fee is cheaper and they offer discounts for targeted law school graduates.

-QLTS School
The institution offers Basic, Advantage, and Premium course packages for each SQE1 and SQE2.

The tuition fee and cost of course materials will depend on the institution, so we recommend comparing the textbooks, mock tests, and teaching styles offered at each.

Conclusion

Studying for the SQE may be a lengthy and challenging process, but passing the exam will open doors for you as a qualified lawyer and provide numerous opportunities. As the author is planning to take the SQE1 in July 2024 and the SQE2 in January 2025, we are all on the same path. Let's work towards our goals together.