New solicitor exam may be on horizon

A major shake-up of the way solicitors qualify for legal practice could be on the cards.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has launched a consultation on a new standardised system for assessing trainees. It proposes introducing a new system where everyone who wants to qualify as a solicitor will undergo the same professional assessment—the Solicitors Qualifying Examination. This exam would be developed by the SRA.

Currently, the route to qualification is through a law degree followed by a year’s Legal Practice Course and two years of work training. There are also routes in for non-law graduates, non-graduates and lawyers qualified in other countries.

Paul Philip, SRA chief executive, says: “Entry into a profession is the key point at which the quality of the profession as a whole is defined. So it has to be right that everyone meets consistent, high standards.

“We think that the best way to ensure that solicitors meet the standards we, their clients and the public expect is to put in place the same, rigorous assessment for aspiring solicitors.”