SQE will be run by Kaplan, SRA announces

Kaplan has been appointed to run the new Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE), but students, law firms and academics have still received no information on what the assessment will cost.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has promised several further announcements about the SQE in the coming months, but for now has simply revealed the name of the organisation that it has appointed to oversee the new system.

How much the fee will be for candidates to take the SQE remains unknown – the SRA has simply said that “other details such as cost will be determined in due course”. The continued uncertainty around this key issue will be unwelcome for students and it is currently unclear whether the new framework for qualifying as a solicitor will in fact be cheaper than the current route, if law schools are left to charge whatever they believe students will pay for SQE-preparatory courses.

Kaplan is an education and training provider to several professions and already runs the Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme.

Paul Philip, the SRA’s chief executive said: “We are delighted to appoint Kaplan after a robust, competitive and open process. Its bid succeeded against some very strong competition. We are now another step closer to delivering a rigorous assessment that helps build trust that all qualifying solicitors are meeting the same high standards, regardless of their route into the profession.”

The SQE is a new two-stage assessment that all prospective solicitors will have to pass in order to qualify. The SRA says it is due to be introduced in 2020 “at the earliest”, which as the language suggests, means that it could well be delayed.