At Freedom Law Clinic, we’ve learned a crucial lesson from running Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) programmes: it’s nearly impossible to provide real value to clients while simultaneously offering meaningful work experience to students. Why? Because most students lack the professional skills to contribute effectively to real legal cases when they first start.

This isn’t their fault. Every lawyer starts somewhere, and law school doesn’t always equip students with the practical skills needed for legal practice. Many students join our QWE programme excited about the idea of becoming a lawyer—only to realise that the reality is far more demanding than they expected.

The Reality of Legal Practice: Is It for You?

Modern legal education often sells the dream that law is for everyone. But while law should be open to all, it isn’t suited to everyone. Many students discover through practical experience that the day-to-day work of a lawyer isn’t just about crafting brilliant arguments or delivering compelling speeches—it involves long hours, meticulous attention to detail, and rigorous case management.

This disconnect between expectation and reality often results in students leaving QWE programmes early. It’s not because they lack intelligence or potential, but because they haven’t yet developed the essential skills required to handle real cases.

Why Feedback is the Key to Successful QWE

Our experience has shown that what students need most from QWE isn’t just access to live cases—it’s structured, high-quality feedback. Without this, students risk walking into their first training contract or work experience placement unprepared, performing poorly, and potentially missing out on a career in law.

Think about it: you invest thousands of pounds in your legal education. Yet, without real insight into your practical skills, you could unknowingly make critical mistakes when it matters most. At Freedom Law Clinic, we believe QWE should focus on preparing you for the real world, not just ticking a box.

How Our QWE Programme Works

We’ve restructured our QWE programme to focus on practical training and feedback. When you join our programme, you’ll start with an 8-week ‘Red Tier’ training period, where you’ll work on simulated cases designed to develop your legal skills. Here’s what to expect:

• Hands-on legal work in a structured, risk-free environment.
• Guaranteed feedback on every stage of your work.
• A clear assessment of your practical skills and areas for improvement.
• A pass/fail evaluation after 8 weeks—if your work meets our standards, you’ll move on to live cases; if not, we’ll be honest about your readiness.

This approach ensures that students gain real insight into their abilities while allowing the clinic to maintain high standards of pro bono legal assistance.

Is Our QWE Programme Right for You?

If you’re serious about becoming a solicitor, don’t risk walking into your first role unprepared. Our QWE programme is designed to give you the practical training, feedback, and confidence to excel in legal practice. If you’re ready to test your skills, receive expert feedback, and find out if law is truly the right path for you—apply today.