Does the SQE have to be passed before commencing a Training Contract?

[stephcurry30]

As a law graduate I'm curious to know whether its required to pass the SQE before commencing a training contract with a law firm?

Also, I would like to understand if certain law firms sponsor candidates for the SQE, and whether possessing the SQE qualification enhances one's chances of securing a training contract compared to having just a law degree?

 

[AlexJ]

The answer to the first question is yes, firms require you to have passed the SQE before starting.

Must firms will pay SQE fees + prep course + maintenance grant, especially bigger city firms. Some smaller firms don’t so it’s always best to check if you aren’t sure.

I think having the SQE will help you land a paralegal role, which could help your chances of a TC but won’t do much by itself. Similar to the situation under the LPC.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

As a law graduate I'm curious to know whether its required to pass the SQE before commencing a training contract with a law firm?

Also, I would like to understand if certain law firms sponsor candidates for the SQE, and whether possessing the SQE qualification enhances one's chances of securing a training contract compared to having just a law degree?

Not a regulatory requirement, but many firms have a preference for you passing both SQE1 and SQE2 before you start your TC.

Many firms sponsor trainees through the SQE though in the same way they did for the LPC.

You can self fund if you’d like to - many people did this with the LPC. I don’t think it is an automatic way of improving your chances, but it can build your skills, knowledge etc and so isn’t a bad thing to help develop you into potentially a stronger candidate.

 

[jprfsx]

I am doing the SQE alongside my training contract and being sponsored by my firm to do it so to answer your question, no you don't have to have completed your SQE before starting your TC.

 

[Cryingtiger]

Not a regulatory requirement, but many firms have a preference for you passing both SQE1 and SQE2 before you start your TC.

Many firms sponsor trainees through the SQE though in the same way they did for the LPC.

You can self fund if you’d like to - many people did this with the LPC. I don’t think it is an automatic way of improving your chances, but it can build your skills, knowledge etc and so isn’t a bad thing to help develop you into potentially a stronger candidate.

Hi Jessica (asking for a friend)

If completed the LPC previously will that mean they will be exempt from the SQE, or will they need to do part 2 of it? Thank you awaiting for your response

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi Jessica (asking for a friend)

If completed the LPC previously will that mean they will be exempt from the SQE, or will they need to do part 2 of it? Thank you awaiting for your response

They will have an exemption from SQE1 but will need to sit SQE2.

 

[BuddingLawyer]

I am doing the SQE alongside my training contract and being sponsored by my firm to do it so to answer your question, no you don't have to have completed your SQE before starting your TC.

Just to clarify : is your SQE prep course ONLINE/PART TIME IN PARALLEL with your Full time TC ? This means instead of the standard 3 year cycle (one year full time LPC/SQE followed by 2 full time years of TC) you will finish your TC+SQE in 2 years ?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Just to clarify : is your SQE prep course ONLINE/PART TIME IN PARALLEL with your Full time TC ? This means instead of the standard 3 year cycle (one year full time LPC/SQE followed by 2 full time years of TC) you will finish your TC+SQE in 2 years ?

I don’t know the specifics of this poster, but typically firms who allow you to do the SQE alongside the Training Contract extend it to 30 months instead of 24.

This is typically where you are on an apprenticeship and 20% of your time is dedicated to learning, and so effectively they add on 20% of 24 months and then round up.

That is still generally quicker though, and the key benefit is you are earning from day 1 rather than relying on a maintenance grant for the first year.

 

[KSADELAW]

I am doing the SQE alongside my training contract and being sponsored by my firm to do it so to answer your question, no you don't have to have completed your SQE before starting your TC.

Which firm are you training at if you’d don’t mind me kindly asking? Only because this arrangement seems to be quite rare & this is what I’m desperately looking for.

 

[KSADELAW]

I am doing the SQE alongside my training contract and being sponsored by my firm to do it so to answer your question, no you don't have to have completed your SQE before starting your TC.

Could I kindly ask which firm you are training at? Only because this is quite a rare arrangement. This is something I’m desperately looking for haha!

 

[Emilyroseriley]

I am doing the SQE alongside my training contract and being sponsored by my firm to do it so to answer your question, no you don't have to have completed your SQE before starting your TC.

Hi, I’m currently in my last year of a non law degree and would like to do my law conversion and SQE exams. How did you find a traineeship that sponsored your SQE. Also most trainee ship have starting dates in 3 years time, is this to start the SQE or do you start that prior to this start date ?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi, I’m currently in my last year of a non law degree and would like to do my law conversion and SQE exams. How did you find a traineeship that sponsored your SQE. Also most trainee ship have starting dates in 3 years time, is this to start the SQE or do you start that prior to this start date ?

A start date will be the employment date when your training/work experience starts. For firms recruiting 2-3 years in advance, this typically means you will do the SQE before your employment starts.

 

[LillyandSilver]

I interviewed with a firm which allowed SQE 2 to be completed alongside the training contract because it was similar to the practice exams that had to be done after you passed the LPC in the old regime. Some firms also take on paralegals who have completed SQE 1 and then sponsor you to do SQE 2 at the firm.