How to get a solicitor & conveyancing qualification at Kew Law
We offer a number of routes to qualification at Kew Law and are committed to supporting the career development of junior colleagues. Whatever your experience levels, you’ll find a pathway that suits you.
Qualifying as a Lawyer
Becoming a qualified lawyer takes a lot of commitment. If you wish to be a solicitor, you must study and train full-time for at least six years and satisfy the SRA’s character and suitability criteria. Many people assume that you need a law degree to become a solicitor. However, there are routes to qualification that do not require a law degree, such as completing an apprenticeship.
Hover over the graphic below to explore the routes to qualification with Kew Law.
Solicitor Training Contracts For Law Graduates
You can become a solicitor with a qualifying law degree, or with a degree in another subject followed by a Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL). You must:
- Take your qualifying law degree, or non-law degree and GDL
- Complete the Legal Practice Course (LPC)
- Complete a period of recognised training
- Pass the professional skills course.
- Pass the SRA character and suitability requirements.
It’s important to note that not all law degrees are qualifying law degrees. If you take a non-qualifying degree, you’ll also need to take the GDL.
We take on three trainees annually. If selected, we’ll provide the recognised training and fund your professional skills course.
Note: The Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) is being phased in to become the new centralised way to qualify as a solicitor in England and Wales. It will eventually replace the LPC and the GDL. The SQE is not a course, but a series of examinations taken in two stages. There are SQE1 and SQE2 preparation courses which have been developed by institutions. We do not fund the SQE or SQE preparation courses.
Because of the long transition period, if you start your law degree or LPC before September 2021 you’ll have 11 years (until 2032) to qualify under the traditional route. However, if you want to switch to the new SQE route, you’ll be able to do so.
The same applies for non-law graduates. If you begin to study for the GDL before September 2021 you’ll can choose to continue down the traditional route of progressing onto the LPC and a training contract until 2032. After September 2021, the GDL will cease as a qualification route and you’ll need to take an SQE1 preparation course.
People are at the heart of what we do
Our colleagues reflect the ethics and principles of Kew Law. As well as experts in their field, they are hardworking, approachable, and always willing to go the extra mile for their clients.
