We have obtained clarification from the SRA concerning the requirement for the Letter of Reference being on Headed Paper.

The SRA requires the form you submit for your application for exemption from the SQE2 exam to be accompanied by a Letter of Reference from the applicant's supervisor - who directly supervised the legal work that they wish the SRA to consider when looking at their application (see here a link to our page giving advice on this: https://hunningsconsultancy.co.uk/sqe2-exemption-for-foreign-lawyers-review-advice/) We have sought clarification from the SRA as a client told us that his supervisor's current employers refused to allow the supervisor to send this letter on their letterhead.

Please see below the advice received from the SRA:

"Dear Ingemar Hunnings

Thank you for your email of 14 July 2024.

We can consider references that are not provided on headed paper, but this may mean that a decision takes longer while we verify/validate them. In the event that we are not able to verify/validate the reference(s) then the applicant may need to seek alternative referees or potentially receive a decision to refuse the application.

If you have any further questions please let me know.

Yours sincerely
Simon Prior
Authorisation Officer
Authorisation
Solicitors Regulation Authority"

Applications for exemption from the SQE2 exam: Help

We help aspiring solicitors who are already qualified lawyers with their applications for exemption from the SQE2 exam. This involves advice & assistance, a basic template for the Letter of Reference, reviewing what you draft for your referee and your application form. (Please note that we do not assist with the completion of section 8 of the form.) Please fill in the form on this or any of the web pages on this website for more info or help. Here is a link to more info: https://hunningsconsultancy.co.uk/sqe2-exemption-for-foreign-lawyers-review-advice/

Help with Confirmation of QWE

This is only relevant where you are NOT already qualified as a lawyer anywhere. If you do NOT have an SRA regulated solicitor willing or able to confirm your QWE to the SRA, then we can help. We have already confirmed the QWE for over 100 aspiring solicitors from all over the world. Please fill in the form on this or any of the web pages on this website for more info or help. Here is a link to more info: https://hunningsconsultancy.co.uk/external-qwe-certification-service-2/