Become a solicitor in the UK — SQE pathway
SQE 1 (£1,934 → £2,006 from Sept 2026) + SQE 2 (£2,974 → £3,086) = total first-attempt £5,092 from September 2026. ⚡ QWE exemption for fully qualified foreign lawyers — the biggest time-saver, no 2 years of supervised work required. The SRA accepts alternative documents for Russian/Ukrainian/Belarusian lawyers. Spilka UK supported 350+ Ukrainian lawyers. Cheap path (exemption + self-study) ~£3,000-3,500. NQS London £45-65k+.
You only need: SQE 1 + SQE 2 + Character & Suitability assessment + admission fee. Time saved: ~2 years. Apply through the SRA "Qualified Lawyers" pathway.
NB: the exemption is only available to qualified lawyers (with the right to practise in the country of origin), not to law-degree graduates without admission. A partial exemption from SQE 2 is also possible for seasoned practitioners.
SQE pathway step by step
Admission fee + roll registration ~£200-300. Then — annual practising certificate.
3 cost levels — by prep approach
• Self-study (books, online resources ~£500)
• SQE 1 + SQE 2 fees
• Admission + Character & Suitability
• SQE 1 + SQE 2 fees
• Mock exams
• Admission fees
• Plus SQE prep + fees
• Plus living costs
• Not needed for exempt foreign lawyers
Bridging jobs — while you prepare
Refugee-lawyer support
Frequently asked questions
What is the SQE?
Solicitors Qualifying Examination — the single exam to become a solicitor in England and Wales. It replaced the LPC route. Two parts: SQE 1 (multiple-choice, £1,934 → £2,006 from September 2026), SQE 2 (written + oral assessments, £2,974 → £3,086 from September 2026). Total first-attempt £5,092 from September 2026.
Does QWE work for refugees?
VERY IMPORTANT: <strong>fully qualified foreign lawyers are exempt from the 2-year QWE</strong>. This is the biggest time-saver — and is often overlooked. Instead of 2 years of supervised work experience, sufficient evidence that you are already a qualified lawyer is enough. The only condition is the character & suitability assessment. Apply through the SRA "Qualified Lawyers" pathway.
What is Spilka UK?
A partnership of Kennedys + Stephenson Harwood + ULaw and others. Since 2023 it has supported 350+ Ukrainian lawyers — pro bono SQE prep, training contract placements, mentoring. If you are from Ukraine, contact directly: spilka.uk. The equivalent for other countries is individual initiatives via the Law Society DAS.
What are the SRA fee changes for 2026?
SQE 1: £1,934 → £2,006 (+3.7%) from September 2026 (booking from October 2026). SQE 2: £2,974 → £3,086. Total first-attempt £5,092. The SRA admission fee is additional. The SRA accommodates refugee alternative documents — sworn statements / employer references instead of a Certificate of Good Standing.
Has OISC been renamed?
Yes. <strong>OISC → IAA (Immigration Advice Authority) from 16 January 2025</strong>. A 3-tier certification system (Level 1, 2, 3). The bridging route for law-trained refugees — IAA registration is faster than the SQE and lets you work on immigration cases (high demand for refugee community lawyers).
What are solicitor / paralegal salaries?
Trainee solicitor London £25-35k. Newly qualified solicitor (NQS) London £45-65k regional, £75-100k+ City firms. Paralegal London £25-30k starting → £35-45k senior. Immigration adviser (IAA Level 3) £35-50k specialist firms. Big difference between legal aid (lower) and commercial (higher).