Are fully qualified foreign lawyers exempt from the QWE requirement?

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What if you are already qualified as a lawyer in another country, but you're not British, and you do not live in the UK, and you want to qualify as a solicitor in England and Wales?
First check on the SRA website whether the activity you want to do is a service you can offer as a foreign lawyer or a Registered Foreign Lawyer. If it is not, then you will need to cross-qualify through Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE), which has now replaced the Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme (QLTS).
Well, as a qualified lawyer from other country, you do not need to show Qualifying Work Experience.
You will still need a degree, qualification, or experience that is at the same level as a UK undergraduate degree.
If you want to become a solicitor, you have to pass SQE1 and SQE2, or apply for an exemption. The SRA has agreed exemptions for certain countries, but you’ll need to check this. If your country is not on the list, then you can still apply for an exemption.
SQE1 and the written assessments of SQE2 can be taken abroad. However the SQE2 oral assessments can currently only be taken in England and Wales.
Finally, you need to satisfy the SRA’s character and suitability requirements, which include a criminal background check.

[@abhradippoali8616]

Please make a video on How to get a job after qualifying the exam ?

[@futuresolicitor]

Thank you, we will cover this topic in the future.

[@Victoryomogbai]

Wow your channel is a gold mine ❤ Very informative

[@emmastrau2885]

Hey thanks for this video on how to become a solicitor, was very helpful! So I have a question regarding the preparation time for the SQE1&2 Exam. how long people normally prepare for these exams . What’s the normal preparation timeline?

[@futuresolicitor]

Hi there, glad you are enjoying the videos. I believe, the length of preparation will depend on many factors of a given SQE candidate, such as: is there any existing knowledge a candidate has, full or part time commitment to SQE preparation and many other factors. But what we are seeing is that candidates are spending 3-6 months on preparation or sometime more. We are working on a detailed study plan/guide which will hopefully help candidates and consider all these "it depends" factors and suggest 2-3 different length approaches on how to prepare. Please signup here to receive an update from us once this guide is published: futuresolicitor.co.uk/sign-up/

[@MYMALegalAwareness]

Thank You very much

[@manzarsaleem6447]

If i get exemption for sq2 as a foreign qualified lawyer ,do I still need to do QWE in uk or apply for exemption from QWE ( after I have an exemption from sqe2 ? As I have experience but the firm I was working with isn’t Registered with SRA . And I’m about to apply for my sqe2 exam . Please guide me on this matter , thank you !!

[@futuresolicitor]

Hi there, foreign qualified lawyers are automatically exempt from QWE. Please find more information on this here: www.lawsociety.org.uk/topics/international/how-to-become-a-solicitor-a-guide-for-international-lawyers-and-overseas-students

[@CTG2500]

Question, what about U.S. based lawyers, do they need to do all of these QE 1 & 2? Exempt?

[@futuresolicitor]

You will need to apply for an individual exemption. Check details here: www.sra.org.uk/become-solicitor/qualified-lawyers/sqe-exemptions/

[@CTG2500]

@@futuresolicitor Thank you very much!

[@Lucia-cc3jh]

Thank you!

[@futuresolicitor]

You are welcome, I am glad you are enjoying the videos on SQE.

[@sabrimaikhana110]

I'm a Highcourt Lawyer in Pakistan having 3 years Legal Practice experience, now doing LLM in England . How can i become a Solicitor/Barister in England ?

[@futuresolicitor]

Hi there, there is comprehensive article on SRA's website, please check it out here: www.sra.org.uk/solicitors/guidance/registered-foreign-lawyers/ We have a comprehensive guide coming up for foreign lawyers to qualify as a lawyer under SQE route. Signup here to get updates on this: futuresolicitor.co.uk/

[@kendodo2928]

Thanks for the video. If I am a foreign qualified lawyer with more than a year experience and I have just completed the LPC. Can I apply to be exempted from SQE1 an SQE2?

[@futuresolicitor]

Yes, you can. LPC is still an active route and it is planned to be phased out in 2032. But, please check SRA's website for more details as there are some exceptions and limitations: www.sra.org.uk/become-solicitor/legal-practice-course-route/transitional-arrangements/

[@riajohnson7476]

I am Registered foreign lawyer here in the UK with one year of work experience abroad and one years work experience in the UK.. will I be exempted from SQE 1 and 2 ? Pls advise

[@ahmadseyal]

Respected sir .. would a foreign lawyer passing sqe exams will be given a UK visa to live in uk ? Plz guide

[@futuresolicitor]

Hi there, no SQE exam is for people who would want to practice law in England and Wales. This is nothing to do with immigration matters.

[@legaltakeonwithsaqibshahzaib72]

Hi sir i am from pakistan. My question is that whether i can appear in online exam? means is there any center for examination available in pakistan?

[@futuresolicitor]

Hi there, please check this on the page: sqe.sra.org.uk/exam-arrangements/dates-and-locations

[@muhammadarifullah5994]

Do you have any course for SQE

[@futuresolicitor]

Hi there, certainly, please check out all the details here: futuresolicitor.co.uk