We have received clarification from the SRA of their ambiguous word concerning legal work experience. In their helpful tool summarising what they want with regard to those qualified in certain jurisdictions which they have considered, the SRA write:

"xx months legal work experience post-qualification as a xxx advocate (substitute in the description of a qualified lawyer in your jurisdiction)"

a) Does that mean legal work experience gained after qualifying as a xx advocate (the SRA have recently stated that the work must be to the level of the qualification).

Or

b) Does it mean that the post qualification work must be done working as a xxx advocate.

The SRA has now confirmed that it is b). You have to be working in your capacity as a lawyer, as qualified in your home jurisdiction. The example we saw related to a qualified US attorney working in Vietnam. The SRA was asking for proof that he was employed as a US attorney and the work he did was in his capacity as a US attorney.

This seems to us like the SRA tightening up the criteria for exemption from the SQE2 exam. Anecdotally, we have heard that they have had many more applications for exemption from the SQE2 than they expected.

Here is a copy of the guidance:

For general advice & assistance with applications for exemption from the SQE2 exam: https://hunningsconsultancy.co.uk/sqe2-exemption-for-foreign-lawyers-review-advice/

For Videos about SQE2 exemptions & QWE:

https://www.youtube.com/@hunningsconsultancy999/videos

External Solicitor QWE Confirmation Service

If you are NOT qualified as a lawyer in any jurisdiction, you will have to have a minimum of 2 years' Qualifying Work Experience confirmed to a the SRA by an SRA regulated solicitor. If you do not have anyone in your company to do this, we can help.

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