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Key Facts
QLTS School offers training and consulting services for the SQE assessments. For over a
decade, we have prepared thousands of individual lawyers and candidates from the world’s
top law firms for the QLTS assessments, the model on which the SQE assessments are
based. This is what makes our training courses unique:
Flexible, comprehensive and cost-effective course programmes for the two parts of the SQE
assessment
Professionally written textbooks that thoroughly cover all legal practice areas required by the
SRA
Summaries of the main legal concepts and key areas of each subject
Digital flash cards with short questions and answers
Extensive online resources and an advanced online training system
Periodic updates for the course material
Dozens of mock tests covering the two stages of the SQE, allowing you to evaluate your
performance in a simulated exam environment
A video library with online tutorials and professional presentations, available to watch on your
computer, iPad, iPhone or Android devices
Practical exercises, video skills workshops and personal training
Expert tutors and legal skills trainers, experienced in teaching international candidates for the
SQE assessments
Special arrangements and unique programmes for international candidates based outside the UK
Personalised consultations and step-by-step study plans available for both SQE1 and SQE2,
so that you can benefit from a structured and proven yet tailored study plan from the moment
you begin preparation
The course materials are suitable for candidates from a wide range of different backgrounds
and varying levels of legal knowledge and experience in English law, such as law graduates or
non-law graduates, paralegals, chartered legal executives, apprentices and foreign qualified
lawyers in either a common law or civil law jurisdiction
The SQE assessments replaced the QLTS as the qualification route for foreign lawyers, which
is no longer in force. The QLTS has been successful in attracting many applicants from various
jurisdictions, who are now dual-qualified English solicitors.
The SQE is administered by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), the independent regulatory
body of the Law Society of England and Wales, ensuring candidate assessment
is both rigorous and fair.
The purpose of the SQE assessments is to ensure that all candidates who qualify as solicitors
have the knowledge, skills and ability necessary to perform their role competently and ethically.
The SQE aims to increase consumer protection by providing greater assurance that all qualifying
solicitors meet consistent, high standards at the point of admission.
The SRA has published a competence statement which defines the continuing competences
it requires from all solicitors. Foreign lawyers are required to demonstrate that they have the
equivalent knowledge and understanding of law and practise in England and Wales in the same
areas as that required of domestic candidates.
The SRA have developed the SQE Assessment Specification, which is based on the solicitor
competence statement and forms the syllabus for the assessments.
There are numerous reasons to become qualified in English law. While taking
the SQE will undoubtedly advance your legal career, this qualification will
also improve your professional profile and knowledge, and provide you with
diverse and unique opportunities.
The full range of skills required to practise English law are tested on the SQE,
including oral, written and professional. The SQE assessments are designed to
test applicants on most of the solicitor competence statement and ensure they
meet the threshold standard and legal knowledge expected of a solicitor on
qualification.
The assessments are divided into two stages: The skills are assessed through 16 simulated
legal environments known as ‘stations’, which
SQE I: Functioning Legal Knowledge (FLK)
sample across the skills and practice areas.
This stage tests knowledge and understanding
Candidates cannot choose the practice area for
of professional conduct, solicitors’ accounts,
their skills assessment. SQE2 is offered across
financial regulation, land law, property practice,
five days.
taxation, business law, contract, tort, dispute
resolution, criminal law and criminal litigation, Assessment Rules
wills and probate, the English legal system, SQE1 must be passed before SQE2 can be
constitutional law, equity and trusts, human
attempted.
rights and EU law. SQE1 is a computer-based
The two stages of the SQE must be passed
assessment which consists of 360 multiple
choice questions, divided into two single within six years. Candidates are allowed
assessments of 180 questions each (FLK1 & a maximum of three attempts at each
FLK2). The SQE1 assessments last 10 hours assessment during the six-year period.
in total. Candidates must take the two parts of The assessments are closed-book and
SQE1 all together. candidates are not allowed to use any
SQE II: Practical Legal Skills Assessment materials during the assessments.
This stage tests six skills: client interviewing
and completion of an attendance note,
The best analogy to the SQE is a driving
advocacy, legal research, legal drafting, legal
writing and case and matter analysis. The test: whilst SQE1 is equivalent to the
skills are assessed in the context of five legal theory test element, SQE2 comprises
practice areas: Business Law and Practice, the practical component, where you
Dispute Resolution, Criminal Litigation, Property are expected to demonstrate your
Practice, and Wills and Administration of competence in the skills required.
Estates.
Applicants who wish to qualify as English solicitors via the SQE must first
ensure they could meet the SRA eligibility criteria for admission.
Domestic Candidates The SRA may not grant a partial exemption from
either SQE1 or SQE2.
There are certain eligibility criteria that candidates
must meet before applying for admission to the Foreign lawyers who were exempt from SQE2
Roll of Solicitors. You must: may be required by the SRA to take to an English
language test post-admission, at the point they
hold a degree in law or another subject or
apply for a first practising certificate.
equivalent
complete a minimum period of two years’ If you are a solicitor qualified in Scotland, you are
qualifying work experience exempted from sitting the SQE2 assessment.
pass the SQE assessments; and Foreign Candidates with a Non-UK Degree
meet the SRA character and suitability
requirements If you have a non-UK degree (either in law or
Candidates are not required to take any English other discipline), you will need to show that it is
language test under the SQE. equivalent to either a UK degree or equivalent
UK qualification through a UK ENIC Statement of
Foreign Qualified Lawyers Comparability.
If you are not a foreign qualified lawyer, you will
Foreign qualified lawyers who hold a legal
also need to fulfill the two-year period of QWE like
professional qualification which confers practice
other domestic candidates who pursue the SQE.
rights in an overseas jurisdiction, are exempt
from the qualifying work experience but must
meet the other requirements similar to domestic
candidates.
For any questions relating to your eligibility,
If you are a foreign lawyer and are aware of to request an early assessment or seek any
anything which might prevent you from meeting exemption, please contact the SRA:
these requirements, you can apply to the SRA for The Cube
an early check on any character and suitability 199 Wharfside Street
issue prior to sitting the assessments. Birmingham, B1 1RN
Foreign lawyers are able to apply for exemption Tel: 0370 606 2555
from the SQE on the basis of their prior contactcentre@sra.org.uk
qualifications or experience. Exemptions can only www.sra.org.uk
be granted from a whole component of the SQE.
The cost to sit the SQE1 assessment is £1,622 and SQE2 assessment is £2,493. Candidates
do not have to pay VAT on SQE assessment fees. This does not include any cost of preparatory
courses.
Before you can book your spot for the assessments, you will first need to register with Kaplan at
the SQE website.
Candidates with special needs should contact the assessment provider with a request for specific
testing arrangements.
The results of the assessments are made available a few weeks after the date of each assessment.
Admission to the Roll of Solicitors
Once you have passed the SQE assessments and fulfilled any other outstanding requirements set
by the SRA, you may proceed to the next step and apply to the SRA for admission as an English
solicitor.
If you do not intend to practise in England and Wales following successful completion of the
assessments, you can still maintain your name on the Roll of Solicitors.
Our SQE1 course is designed to build a strong foundation in the legal concepts
essential for success in the FLK assessment. The course features:
18 comprehensive textbooks offered in a receive a personalised initial study plan,
hard copy format and delivered by special tailor-made to get you started quickly and
courier – the textbooks contain over 3,000 smoothly and guide you in your preparation
pages in total, and cover all areas of practice Two hours of tutor support – our tutors
required by the SRA
will answer any questions you may have
Course Handbook explaining the about the material during your studies. The
fundamentals of the assessments, course communication with the tutors will be made
structure, suggested study guide and test
by email, Skype or a phone call, as may be
administration procedures
required
5,000+ digital flash cards with short
The multiple choice questions, flash cards,
questions and answers on each of the topics
covered by the syllabus. The flash cards are mock tests, video library, revision notes and
organised in accordance with the specific updates for the course materials are accessible
topics for each area, so you can focus only through SQE Learning, our propitiatory online
on the areas of difficulty rather than revisiting training system.
material you are already comfortable with Access to the SQE Learning portal is for two
2,500+ multiple choice practice questions, consecutive sittings of SQE1, or until you have
each with five possible answers and a passed SQE1, whichever happens first.
detailed solution
Revision notes summarising the key points
Practice is Key to Success
and main legal principles in each subject
SQE Video Library of 200+ online tutorials The SQE is not just another standard
examination. The pass mark is determined by a
with professional presentations, 60+ hours
‘Standard Setting Panel’ convened by the SRA
of lectures, available to watch on your
based on the standards expected of a newly
computer, iPad, iPhone or Android devices
qualified English solicitor. The syllabus covers
30 mock tests (90 question each) with the entire corpus of English law, and you need
intermingled questions and a time limit similar to be well-prepared in order to pass.
to the formal test. The mock tests will give
you a good indication of your preparedness If you’ve sat a multiple choice test in the past,
for SQE1 you’ll know that practising as many mock
exam questions as possible is the key to your
Free updates for the course materials success. You need to be comfortable with the
Personal communication with a tutor to format and type of questions the examiner
identify your knowledge, experience, time uses in the actual test. This way, you’ll be
commitment and study needs. You will then prepared, not surprised, when test day arrives.
The SQE textbooks will be sent to you by special courier. Delivery is free within the UK, £110 to Europe
and the U.S. and £140 to other destinations. You will also be provided with a unique username and
password to log into the SQE Learning portal.
While the SQE1 merely tests your knowledge of academic law, the SQE2
practical assessment aims to test higher level of knowledge, understanding
and ability to accurately advise clients using a variety of legal skills.
What makes our SQE2 course unique? The SQE2 course features:
Studying for the SQE2 assessment requires An initial consultation with one of our tutors
more than simply reading through textbooks and a tailor-made study plan
or attending lectures or seminars, as you may Course Guide
have done during your formative legal studies. Practice area summaries
2,000+ digital flash cards covering the
The focus is firmly on you mastering and
practice areas to help you reinforce your
displaying considerable legal knowledge in
legal knowledge
the relevant legal practice areas, as well as
SQE Video Library of 80+ online tutorials,
foundation subjects, and successfully using the
spanning 20+ hours of lectures which cover
skills expected of a practising solicitor.
the substantive and procedural law
Our course is therefore designed to bridge SQE practice questions on the legal practice
the gap between your academic study and areas
legal skills, which can only be gained through 15 English writing tasks intended to ensure
practical experience. you can use appropriate, clear, precise and
acceptable English
The nature of the course promotes flexible
Access to SQE Skills Online – 60+
learning. You can practise the skills required
interactive skill exercises, complemented by
whenever it suits you – making it ideal if you
video and audio material and a 130-page
work full-time and allowing you to balance
accompanying textbook
the many demands for your time and attention. Free periodic updates for the course materials
You will also have the opportunity to undertake Legal Skills Video Workshops (see next
mock practice stations with personal tutor page)
feedback in client interviewing and in advocacy. 300 mock exams with suggested solutions
The focus would be on building your confidence for self-assessment
and reinforcing your ability to be able to speak Mock practice stations with personal tutor
with clarity, and help you present yourself in an feedback based on the SRA marking criteria
articulate, professional and composed manner.
Course Guide
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Making the right decision to study
SQE LinkedIn Group with QLTS School will save your time,
money and effort.
Digital Flash Cards (the study pack includes 5,000+ flash cards) – a demo version with 100+ flash cards is
accessible here: https://bit.ly/2JQ8ngl
SQE1 Mock Tests (the study pack includes 30 mock tests with 90 questions each) – two sample tests with
90 questions each, including suggested solutions, are accessible here – FLK1: https://bit.ly/2ZviGfM and
FLK2: https://bit.ly/2YQXTUN
Updates – a sample update which was released in April 2019 is accessible here: https://bit.ly/2HpjcTq
An excerpt from the accompanying skills textbook is accessible here (the complete book contains more than
100 pages): https://bit.ly/2WMZlEd
Legal Skills Video Workshops – the workshops include a suite of more than 100 videos (spanning 20+
hours in total), and summaries with key notes (approximately 70 pages). A preview of the Legal Skills Video
Workshops (each clip is up to one minute in length) is accessible here: https://bit.ly/2JruESd
Mock practice stations with one-to-one tutor feedback in client interviewing and advocacy – a sample
tutor-marked paper for a mock practice station in client interviewing is accessible here: https://bit.ly/2Q4pcVR