Law firms divided over training contract start times after SQE is introduced

Leading UK law firms are split on what stage they will allow candidates to commence training contracts when the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) is introduced in 2021, according to new findings.

Some 46 firms responded to a survey conducted by Legal Cheek and BARBRI International, which asked how firms are preparing for the training changes that will accompany the roll-out of the SQE.

Under the new system, candidates must pass the two separate stages of the SQE and complete two years’ qualifying legal experience to qualify as solicitors. However, firms differ on which stage of the process they will allow trainees to start work at.

Of the firms to respond to the survey, 39% said their trainees would be able to join them after passing SQE stage one, with stage two to be completed after trainees have started work. Meanwhile, 9% said that trainees will be able to start before they undertake either SQE stage, which would merge training at the firm with completion of the exams.

In contrast, 30% of firms said future trainees will have to complete both stages of the SQE before joining, which would be a similar arrangement to those currently in place at most firms regarding future trainees doing the LPC.

A further 20% of firms admitted that they do not know yet what their arrangements will be once the SQE comes into force.

The results also confirm that large firms remain concerned about how effectively the SQE will prepare candidates for practise. Some 63% indicated that they are considering additional training requirements for future trainees on top of the SQE, while over 50% said they were weighing up developing SQE preparation courses, either on their own or in partnership with other firms.