The landscape of legal education is undergoing a transformation. With the introduction of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) in 2021, aspiring solicitors now have a new route to qualification. This pathway includes passing a competence-based knowledge exam (SQE1) and a skills-based exam (SQE2), alongside completing two years of Qualifying Work Experience (QWE).

Law firms are paying close attention to these changes. Magic Circle firms have partnered with leading law schools to deliver tailored SQE training to their students. Meanwhile, smaller firms are increasingly tasked with ‘authorising’ QWE for their staff. Solicitors now find themselves reviewing their staff’s work against the Statement of Solicitor Competence, which outlines the essential skills expected of solicitors from their first day of qualification.

At Freedom Law Clinic, we saw the SQE as a unique opportunity. Even before the exam’s introduction in 2021, we had been offering clinical legal education courses to universities across the UK for six years. The shift towards competence-based learning with the SQE aligned perfectly with our expertise in delivering practical, skills-focused legal education. We seized the moment to develop an SQE programme that integrates academic training with hands-on experience and skills development.

For the past two years, we have successfully run our combined SQE and QWE programme. Our students not only train for the SQE1 and SQE2 but also engage in meaningful pro-bono casework. Our online school for SQE1 is packed with written manuals, video lectures, Multiple Choice Questions, and flashcards that break down each topic into its core elements.

Our QWE students have already made a significant impact on our clients’ lives. They have helped domestic violence survivors secure protection and representation, assisted with complex criminal appeals—including cases of murder and drug importation—and supported vulnerable individuals in negotiating better living conditions with local authorities. All this while preparing for their exams.

Legal education is indeed changing, and we believe it’s for the better. We have the opportunity to use legal education as a tool for social change, creating a new generation of socially conscious lawyers who use their training to improve lives. If this vision resonates with you, why not book a discovery call with one of our course directors? Let’s explore how you can be part of this exciting journey.