We have seen some confusion amongst aspiring solicitors when completing the form for applying for exemption from the SQE2 exam. So, we thought it best to seek clarification from the SRA, as it did not appear that that there was anything clear about this on the SRA website. (This is for people already qualified as lawyers and wanting to qualify as solicitors of England & Wales through the SQE route.)
We have placed a copy of the correspondence below. However, we also explain here.
Only people already qualified as a lawyer may apply for an exemption from the SQE2 exam (more info on how to do so & how we can help: https://hunningsconsultancy.co.uk/sqe2-exemption-for-foreign-lawyers-review-advice/). In section 4 of the application form people have been ticking section 4a when that does NOT apply to someone qualified in their jurisdiction. Section 4a reads:
"4a. Agreed exemption(s) for your jurisdiction
Use this section if you are applying for the exemptions that we have agreed with your jurisdiction."
Instead they should have been completing section 4b of the form. This starts off:
"4b. New exemptions
Use this section if you are applying for a new exemption for your qualification or are using a personal qualification or work experience to request an exemption to the SQE assessments. "
The SRA has granted an 'Agreed Exemption' for people qualified as lawyers in certain jurisdictions because they have examined the content of their qualification, what it permits them to do and that 2 years' legal work experience is a mandatory requirement of their qualification. Thus the qualification itself proves the work experience. People qualified in those jurisdictions as lawyers only need to complete sections 1, 2, 3 and 4a of the form & submit that to the SRA through their 'mySRA' profile together with the SRA fee and proof of their qualification.
You may check the SRA's website to see if lawyers qualified in your jurisdiction have been granted an 'Agreed Exemption'. Here is the link: https://www.sra.org.uk/become-solicitor/qualified-lawyers/sqe-exemptions/
If your jurisdiction is not listed as having an 'Agreed Exemption', you may make an Individual Application for an exemption from the SQE2 exam. Further info about making this and how you might ask us to help may be found here: https://hunningsconsultancy.co.uk/sqe2-exemption-for-foreign-lawyers-review-advice/
If you believe that your jurisdiction should have been granted an 'Agreed Exemption' - that is for you to take up with the SRA. We have no influence on their decision.
Below is a copy of our enquiry of the SRA and their reply. We hope this will be of some assistance to you.
Our enquiry to the SRA:
"Good morning,
I have a question. This has been asked of me and I cannot see anything on the SRA website to answer it.
“Would the ‘agreed exemption’ mean someone qualified in such a jurisdiction can apply as soon as soon as they qualify, without having to gain 2 years’ legal work experience?”
Thank you for your kind assistance.
Regards
Ingemar Hunnings"
The reply from the SRA:
"Dear Ingemar Hunnings
Thank you for your email of 19 April 2024. I am sorry for the delay getting back to you.
Yes that is correct. Applicants who have completed the full route to qualification in an agreed exemption jurisdiction (and subsequently been admitted as a qualified lawyer) complete at least two years of regulated experience as part of their route to qualification. Consequently, they are not required to complete additional post-qualification experience in order to apply for an SQE2 exemption.
Individuals who have not been formally admitted as a qualified lawyer in their home jurisdiction are not eligible to apply for an exemption until they complete this step.
Yours sincerely
Simon Prior
Authorisation Officer
Authorisation
Solicitors Regulation Authority/Awdurdod Rheoleiddio Cyfreithwyr"
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External QWE Confirmation Service
This is relevant to people who are NOT qualified as lawyers already. If you know of someone who needs an SRA regulated solicitor to confirm their QWE but have no-one in their organisation to do so - we can help. This service would apply to someone who is NOT qualified as a lawyer. Please see the link below and feel free to signpost them to us:
QWE - External Confirming Solicitor Service - for Aspiring Solicitors
YouTube Videos on SQE, SQE2 Exemptions & QWE:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOC0Ce13KlxZryhvZpmORpLB2hLIMTSQu
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