Legal Qualifications for Lawyers in England and Wales
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The route to becoming a qualified lawyer in England and Wales has been revolutionised in recent years. Whether you go through the traditional route of the LPC and BPTC, the evolving SQE and BTC, or the alternative path of CILEX, you can choose the route that best suits your career goals. It is crucial for prospective lawyers to stay updated with the latest changes in qualification requirements. Here is an overview of what these legal qualifications mean.
Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE)
Equivalent of the bar exam for solicitors, the SQE is a new route to becoming a solicitor. This qualification was introduced in 2021 and will eventually replace the LPC as the only route to becoming a qualified solicitor. The exam is divided into two stages. The SQE1 is the first stage and covers a curriculum similar to that of an LLB. The SQE2 is the second stage and covers topics comparable to those of the LPC.
Legal Practice Course (LPC)
It is the vocational stage of training to become a qualified solicitor. This qualification is being phased out by the SQE. Only students with a qualifying law degree, exempting law degree, PGDL or GDL are eligible for admission.
Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX)
It is an alternative route to becoming a qualified lawyer, but CILEX professionals can only call themselves qualified lawyers or CILEX lawyers, not solicitors or barristers. CILEX lawyers can only practise in a particular area of law they specialise in and have trained to the same standard as a solicitor in that area, unlike solicitors who can practise in many different areas of law. Anyone with any qualification can apply for admission though the starting point depends on the qualification the applicant holds.
Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC)
It is a qualification for professionals who want to practise as barristers. This qualification is the vocational stage of bar training, but it has been phrased out by the Bar Training Course (BTC). Only students with a qualifying law degree, PGDL or GDL are eligible for admission.
Bar Training Course (BTC)
The qualification was introduced in 2019 to replace the BPTC as the vocational component of bar training. Students with a recognised law degree, PGDL, or GDL including the seven foundations of legal knowledge are eligible for admission. UK law schools and training providers may use different names for this qualification, including BPC (Bar Practice Course), BVC (Bar Vocational Course), and BVS (Bar Vocational Studies).
Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)
It is a law conversion course for non-law graduates who want to become a qualified solicitor or barrister before the introduction of the SQE. Students with a GDL are eligible for admission to the BTC or formerly BPTC and LPC. It is now being replaced by PGDL though some UK law schools, such as the City Law School, continue to use the same name for their new law conversion course.
Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL)
It is a new law conversion course for non-law graduates who want to become a solicitor or barrister, following the introduction of the SQE. The curriculum is broadly similar to that of GDL but is geared towards the SQE. It will eventually replace GDL as the only law conversion course for university graduates.
By completing the necessary academic qualifications and vocational training, you can embark on a rewarding journey as a qualified solicitor or barrister in England and Wales. Therefore, it is important that you understand what qualifications are required by your legal profession in order to navigate the journey of becoming a lawyer effectively.
Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE)
Equivalent of the bar exam for solicitors, the SQE is a new route to becoming a solicitor. This qualification was introduced in 2021 and will eventually replace the LPC as the only route to becoming a qualified solicitor. The exam is divided into two stages. The SQE1 is the first stage and covers a curriculum similar to that of an LLB. The SQE2 is the second stage and covers topics comparable to those of the LPC.
Legal Practice Course (LPC)
It is the vocational stage of training to become a qualified solicitor. This qualification is being phased out by the SQE. Only students with a qualifying law degree, exempting law degree, PGDL or GDL are eligible for admission.
Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX)
It is an alternative route to becoming a qualified lawyer, but CILEX professionals can only call themselves qualified lawyers or CILEX lawyers, not solicitors or barristers. CILEX lawyers can only practise in a particular area of law they specialise in and have trained to the same standard as a solicitor in that area, unlike solicitors who can practise in many different areas of law. Anyone with any qualification can apply for admission though the starting point depends on the qualification the applicant holds.
Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC)
It is a qualification for professionals who want to practise as barristers. This qualification is the vocational stage of bar training, but it has been phrased out by the Bar Training Course (BTC). Only students with a qualifying law degree, PGDL or GDL are eligible for admission.
Bar Training Course (BTC)
The qualification was introduced in 2019 to replace the BPTC as the vocational component of bar training. Students with a recognised law degree, PGDL, or GDL including the seven foundations of legal knowledge are eligible for admission. UK law schools and training providers may use different names for this qualification, including BPC (Bar Practice Course), BVC (Bar Vocational Course), and BVS (Bar Vocational Studies).
Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)
It is a law conversion course for non-law graduates who want to become a qualified solicitor or barrister before the introduction of the SQE. Students with a GDL are eligible for admission to the BTC or formerly BPTC and LPC. It is now being replaced by PGDL though some UK law schools, such as the City Law School, continue to use the same name for their new law conversion course.
Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL)
It is a new law conversion course for non-law graduates who want to become a solicitor or barrister, following the introduction of the SQE. The curriculum is broadly similar to that of GDL but is geared towards the SQE. It will eventually replace GDL as the only law conversion course for university graduates.
By completing the necessary academic qualifications and vocational training, you can embark on a rewarding journey as a qualified solicitor or barrister in England and Wales. Therefore, it is important that you understand what qualifications are required by your legal profession in order to navigate the journey of becoming a lawyer effectively.
