Up until now we had understood the SRA position to be that is someone was qualified as a lawyer in a jurisdiction they were automatically exempted from the QWE requirement (this is to do with the process to qualify as a solicitor of England & Wales through the SQE route). That was our clear understanding from the start of the SQE scheme. Over time things had happened to make us wonder if the SRA had nuanced their position.

We spoke with the SRA this week (w/c 12th May 2025). They informed us that they were now only granting exemption to qualified lawyers where that lawyer qualified for the exemption from the SQE2 exam. That indeed makes it a lot less clear.

Someone seeking exemption from the QWE element will now need to check whether they would qualify for exemption from the SQE2 exam. Here is a link to where on the SRA website they may check: https://www.sra.org.uk/become-solicitor/qualified-lawyers/sqe-exemptions/ . We do not think that you have to actually make the application for exemption from the SQE2 exam. We will let you know if we are informed otherwise. So far, uploading through your mySRA profile proof of qualification in your jurisdiction has been sufficient for the QWE exemption to be granted.

Help with an application for SQE2 Exemption:

https://hunningsconsultancy.co.uk/sqe2-exemption-for-foreign-lawyers-review-advice/

Help with Confirming or sign-off of QWE:

https://hunningsconsultancy.co.uk/external-qwe-certification-service-2/

Help with Verifying your ID to the SRA before you are admitted:

https://hunningsconsultancy.co.uk/id-verification-for-aspiring-solicitors/