Chloe Hayes, a trainee solicitor in BPP’s Social Impact Team, discusses her pioneering QWE route to becoming a solicitor

“I’m originally from South Africa and began my law degree there. After about three months, I realised I wanted to move countries, so I started again at Durham University, pursuing an LLB,” explains Chloe Hayes. Having successfully completed the SQE1 and SQE2 exams last year, she is now three and a half months into her role as a trainee solicitor at the housing clinic in BPP’s Social Impact Team—and loving it.

“Two months in, my supervisor told me we had a case in the county court and that I should represent the client — submissions, cross-examinations, the works,” she tells Legal Cheek Careers. She enjoys this fast-paced, hit-the-ground-running aspect of the clinic. “There is so much demand for our work, representing clients from lower socio-economic backgrounds who would otherwise be unable to access justice. Being thrown into the deep end has its advantages,” Hayes says. She notes that her supervising solicitor is incredibly supportive, but having to handle things independently after the initial guidance has been instrumental in demystifying the court process. “It’s not as scary as I once thought, and I now love litigation!” she says.

Hayes is one of five BPP alumni who are employed each year in paid six-month QWE placements in the university’s Social Impact Team. Recounting how she came to spend time in the housing clinic, Hayes explains that she initially volunteered at BPP’s Legal Advice Clinic while studying for the SQE, always being drawn to social welfare law and closing the access to justice gap that so many people, but especially women, face. Her current work perfectly complements these aspirations. “We only advise tenants, usually against councils — never landlords. Our clients are usually from low socio-economic backgrounds, who do not qualify for legal aid mostly due to government cuts so they come to us to close that gap, and our services are completely free,” explains Hayes. In addition to the housing clinic, there are also a family clinic, an enterprise clinic, a consumer clinic, and a welfare clinic.

“As for a typical day, it varies a lot,” Hayes tells us. A client interview, followed by research on the issue and sending out an advice letter, are typical tasks. She also assists clients in litigation, sometimes representing them before the county court and tribunals. “This involves a lot of statements of case, submissions, replies, witness statements, and evidence collection—it’s brilliant experience,” she notes enthusiastically.

Hayes also flags a pro bono project called Streetlaw, where BPP’s trainee lawyers visit schools, women’s refuge centres, homeless shelters, and many other community groups to educate on certain aspects of the law. They also visit prisons to educate prison communities on matters such as probation and how a criminal record might legally affect their lives after prison. . “Just last week, we did a ‘Goldilocks session’ with a class of 10-year-olds, teaching them about the criminal justice system by putting Goldilocks on trial for burglary and criminal damage — it was fabulous,” she recounts, smiling.

We then asked Hayes what the most rewarding aspect of her time in the housing clinic has been so far. “Representing a client for the first time in the county court, definitely.  Naturally, it’s very daunting, but the judge was so nice, and you realise that it’s not about having a fight. Rather, the end goal is to find an equitable solution while still advocating for your client’s needs,” Hayes points out.

On the flip side, the most challenging aspect of her time at the clinic has been time management. “The clinic is so oversubscribed because there are so many people who need the help we offer. Initially, I tried to do as much work as possible, and it took me a  few weeks to figure out how to communicate well with my supervisor.   At first, I struggled to let him know when I was snowed under. But once I communicated that, he was very understanding and worked with me to plan out upcoming deadlines,” she says. Hayes notes that as trainees, there is often an eagerness to please supervisors by taking everything on, but stepping back and communicating when you’re overwhelmed is crucial and very normal.

Having figured out how communication and time management go hand-in-hand, what’s been Hayes’ biggest takeaway from the clinic during her first three months? “This is going to sound so cheesy,” she cautions, laughing, “but it’s that I’ve realised that I was born to do this job!” She explains that a key worry she had was starting to train as a solicitor and realising that the role wasn’t quite what she expected or enjoyed, after having invested significant amounts of time, money and effort into completing a degree and the SQE. “Luckily for me, that hasn’t been the case. Even on the bad days, I really do feel that I love this job,” she says.

Hayes is now just over halfway through her six-month period of Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) in BPP’s Social Impact Team. Under the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) regime, aspiring lawyers are able to qualify by accruing two years’ worth of QWE in up to four different organisations. This introduces greater flexibility into the qualification process by opening up additional avenues alongside the traditional training contract route. Hayes plans to seek further opportunities in a range of practice areas following completion of her QWE in the housing clinic, to stay on track to qualify in 2026.

To finish up our conversation, Hayes offers some practical tips to stay on top of recording QWE. “Keep a weekly record of what you do – you’ll need two years’ worth of records when you apply to be admitted to the roll of solicitors. Even on a weekly basis it can sometimes be difficult to remember every task you’ve worked on if you haven’t actually written it down, and you will be working on a lot– so really make sure you’re diligent about recording, because if not, you’d be shooting yourself in the foot when it comes to getting the QWE signed off at the end of the two-year period,” she advises.

Chloe Hayes will be speaking at ‘How to get Qualifying Work Experience — with BPP University Law School’, a virtual student event taking place this Thursday (11 July). Apply now to attend.

About Legal Cheek Careers posts.

Regional salaries receive boost to £75k

International firm DLA Piper has raised the salaries of its newly qualified lawyers, taking City recruits up to £110,000 with their regional counterparts rising to £75,000.

The new figures represent a 10% increase across the board for the firm’s newest associates, with the previous figures sitting at £100,000 and £68,500.

With trainee pay remaining the same, rookies in the City office will continue to receive £50,000 in year one, and £55,000 in year two, with regional trainees on £34,000 and £37,500 respectively.

The firm has also announced its PGDL and SQE grants. Students in London will receive £12,500 for their conversion courses, with graduates taking online courses or those in the regions awarded £8,750.

For the SQE students can then expect a London grant of £17,000, with those elsewhere handed £12,000.

The Legal Cheek Firms Most List shows that the outfit takes on around 65 trainees each year.

This pay boost is the latest in a string of rises that have hit firms across the UK in recent months. Fellow international firms Herbert Smith Freehills and Hogan Lovells both increased their NQ salaries to £135,000 in recent weeks, with Macfarlanes going further to hit £140,000.

HFW has also boosted its NQ pay up to £100k, with Bird & Bird climbing to £98,000.

These more recent changes follow a significant shift in the Magic Circle, with Freshfields, Linklaters, A&O Shearman, and Clifford Chance all boosting rates to £150,000 earlier this year. Slaughter and May has so far stood firm, keeping junior lawyer pay at £125,000.

Durham undergrad Niall Hignett reflects on the challenges of navigating uni without parental support

An aspiring lawyer has shared his experiences as an “estranged” law student, juggling academic commitments, financial challenges and loneliness.

Niall Hignett, a final-year law student at Durham University, has shed light on the lives of the approximately 10,000 estranged students in the UK, explaining that these students have little or no contact with their parents while pursuing higher education.

Writing for the Metro website, the Durham undergrad shares that his journey began by selling his 18-year-old Renault Clio to give himself a modest cash boost. He explained, “I didn’t need the car anymore because I wasn’t driving back home”.

Amidst the typical law student challenges of a heavy workload and expensive textbooks, Hignett needed to find housing deposits, pay for a guarantor scheme, and fund rent and food, all without “the bank of mum and dad”.

Despite receiving the highest government loan, the funds didn’t come close to covering his costs, he explains. “I spent more time serving drinks than I did in lectures or seminars in that first year of university.”

“It’s not just covering living costs that I was worried about,” says Hignett. “Without the obvious back-up plan to return home, I needed to create a financial safety net for myself. That meant earning as much as possible, and spending as little as possible. For example, I haven’t ever been to an expensive ball or college formal — or even bought one of those Hogwarts-esque gowns. Thankfully, the posh-boy aesthetic wouldn’t suit me anyway — but it’s isolating nonetheless.”

It isn’t just financial concerns that plague estranged students, however. “Seeing other students able to enjoy the experience, and engage more with their degree, was isolating,” says Hignett.

In particular, it was the Christmas break where “feelings of isolation peaked”. Having considered dropping out, and taking a hiatus for a year to earn some extra money working as an election organiser, Hignett returned to Durham in September 2023 to continue his legal studies.

Now on track to finish his degree, and having undertaken placements at a range of firms including Bates Wells and DLA Piper, Hignett credited the “incredible student group” the Estranged and Care Experienced Network.

The group, comprised of current estranged and care experienced students in the UK and Ireland, offer guidance on the basics of applying for higher education and practical advice on financial support, employment, and relationships.

Struggling with stress or anxiety? Contact LawCare via its helpline or live chat.

Why law?

For those embarking on the punishing task of training contract applications for the first time, wondering how the hell you’re going to sit through a partner interview without coming off like a gibbering mess, this one’s for you!

Maybe you’re even a veteran in the field of law firm interviews, having smashed out so many vac schemes and mini-pupillages that you’ve got your interview technique down to a T, this one’s guaranteed to take you down memory lane.

We’re compiled a list of 10 hilarious TikToks about law firm interviews. Let us know which one’s your fave in the comments.

Can’t really remember what marks I got tbh …

@legalcheek Land Law and Equity & Trusts really let the team down #CapCut #babyreindeer #lawyer ♬ original sound – legalcheek

If we’re being honest

@legalcheek Let’s be honest #babyreindeer #lawstudentlife ♬ original sound – legalcheek

But my biggest strength is teamwork

@legalcheek I bring a certain Gen Z mindset to the function #lawyersoftiktok #lawmemes #lawstudent ♬ original sound – legalcheek

@legalcheek NQ pay is how much #meme #lawschool #lawstudent #lawstudentlife #student #university #lawyersoftiktok ♬ original sound – Dessirae

‘I’m a perfectionist’

@legalcheek I genuinely forget how to put a sentence together #CapCut #Meme #studentsoftiktok #lawstudent ♬ original sound – legalcheek

Mr Worldwide

@legalcheek Mr worldwide #lawyersoftiktok #lawstudentlife #yearabroad ♬ original sound – legalcheek

You’re my favourite dish

@legalcheek The questions need to be clearer….#CapCut #Meme #studentsoftiktok #lawstudent #fypシ゚viral #trainingcontract #law #fyp #students ♬ original sound – legalcheek

Shady’s back, back again

@legalcheek This ain’t my first rodeo #law #lawstudent #lawschool #lawyersoftiktok #nohardfeelings #fyp ♬ No Hard Feelings_Now on Google Play – lovelove

Does Netflix count?

@legalcheek Time to panic #lawyersoftiktok #lawyer #lawschool #university #student #fyp #lawstudentlife #Meme ♬ original sound – legalcheek

Thank you, next

@legalcheek Next question#Meme #MemeCut #lawyersoftiktok #student #lawstudent #fypシ #trainingcontract #law #lawyerlife #fyp ♬ original sound – legalcheek

Follow Legal Cheek on TikTok

Greens’ James Nelson will consider abandoning studies if successful

A law student from Bristol University hopes to bring a fresh perspective to politics if he secures a seat in this week’s General Election.

Despite just completing his second year of law school, James Nelson is pursuing a career in politics as the Green Party parliamentary candidate for Filton and Bradley Stoke.

Nelson, one of the country’s youngest candidates at just 20, says he will consider postponing or even dropping out of law school if successful in this Thursday’s General Election.

“I’ve broadly abandoned a legal career,” Nelson told the website Bristol Live. “For many years I’ve had a passion for politics, for standing up for people and for trying to make my community better.”

“Ultimately I will do what allows me to represent my constituency, the law student continued. “Other people standing who have long-term commitments, such as degrees or having children, are having to make those decisions and I’m confident I could make it work.”

Despite his young age, Nelson has already ventured into local politics alongside his legal studies, working as a town councillor in Bradley Stoke for a year. He has been involved in various local projects, including the installation of a cycle storage unit and conducting a successful consultation for a new park run at the local nature reserve.

Nelson’s LinkedIn shows he also has accumulated some legal experience, including completing a virtual work programme with Clifford Chance.

“I think I’d give a bit of a shock to some of the old Etonians,” Nelson said. “Many people coming in as MPs for the first time will be old enough to be my parents or my grandparents!”

He continued: “There is no necessary qualification to be an MP. If you look at the past prime ministers we’ve had, they have vast degrees and have still been absolutely stupid! I come with the experience of having grown up in my area and having already had the opportunity to represent my area. I have the track record that comes with that: an honest politician who will fight his corner.”

Since 2010, Filton and Bradley Stoke has been represented by Conservative MP Jack Lopresti, who is running for re-election. Claire Hazelgrove is running for Labour, Benet Allen is representing the Liberal Democrats, and Stephen James Burg is the candidate for Reform UK.

Campus dean at ULaw London Bloomsbury, Sandie Gaines discusses her experience in employment law and how students can prepare for upcoming applications

Sandie Gaines, campus dean at The University of Law (ULaw)’s London Bloomsbury campus, began her education journey in the sciences before switching to law.

Having spent 15 years practicing as an employment solicitor before climbing the education ladder at ULaw, she spoke to Legal Cheek Careers about the realities of life in legal practice, and everything students need to know about networking, commercial awareness, and overcoming rejection.

To start off, can you tell me a little bit about your career thus far?

I’ve worked in higher education at ULaw for 15 years, and prior to that I was a solicitor in private practice for 15 years specialising in employment law. When I joined ULaw in 2009 as a lecturer, I taught a number of business-related subjects including business law and practice, acquisitions and mergers, and public companies on the Legal Practice Course (LPC). I’ve also held a number of managerial roles at ULaw prior to becoming a Dean eight years ago; I’m also an associate professor, holding post-graduate qualifications in teaching, education management, business psychology, psychology as well as law.

What did you enjoy most about your time in practice and what prompted you to make the move into legal education?

I enjoyed practicing employment law as it’s a constantly changing area of law and it’s very muti-dimensional, which makes it an interesting and engaging subject matter. For example, a typical employment problem faced by a business includes elements of unfair dismissal, possibly equality issues, and contract law. So, it’s a very interesting and varied practice area which I felt like I could really sink my teeth into.

Employment solicitors also need to have a good understanding of their client’s business, to ensure that the advice given is realistic and commercially feasible. I acted for a number of different types of clients ranging from smaller enterprises and charities to educational establishments and larger businesses, often visiting their premises to take instructions which was very insightful.

Following my move into Higher Education in 2009, an interesting opportunity presented itself to work at ULaw (or the College of Law as it was then), but upon reflection, had this opportunity not presented itself, I probably would have remained in legal practice.

What has been the most memorable moment of your career to date?

I’m struggling to narrow it down to one! Following my training contract, I started my legal career as a solicitor specialising in criminal law with some family law work, conducting my own advocacy to trial level. I remember representing clients in court on a number of criminal matters in the Magistrates’ Court such as an affray, a dangerous dog case and theft allegations.

Employment tribunal final hearings were memorable too, I remember winning an unfair dismissal case despite the fact that my client’s main witness knocked a water bottle on the floor of the tribunal whilst giving evidence and acted out a tussle they had with the claimant in the style of what appeared to be a pantomime!

Can you tell us a bit about life on campus at ULaw London Bloomsbury — what sorts of spaces and facilities do students have access to?

Life on campus at ULaw Bloomsbury is very dynamic and engaging; I love it here! The environment can be high pressured at times as we have over 3,000 students across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes and it’s imperative that we deliver a high level of service to everyone.

The culture and atmosphere on campus is friendly, supportive, and full of energy and excitement. The Bloomsbury campus location is particularly exceptional, situated in central London and very close to iconic attractions such as the Royal Courts of Justice, the Law Society on Chancery Lane, barristers’ chambers, and numerous wellbeing-enhancing green spaces. The Bloomsbury campus itself is well-resourced with facilities such as a café area, a newly created bio-diversity garden in our courtyard area, plenty of library study spaces for students, and a lecture theatre where we also hold events. Store Street, where we’re situated, is full of interesting cafes and restaurants: there’s plenty for students to explore.

What factors should students be considering when they are shortlisting firms that they want to apply to?

In my view, when shortlisting firms, students should consider factors such as the size of the firm and impact on lifestyle choice; firm location and likely opportunities for secondment; and very importantly, the areas of practice covered by the firm. It can help if students ask themselves – are these practice areas of interest to you? Would you be motivated by the work or the rewards at this firm? And what are the implications for work/life balance, and is this important to me?

The size of the firm, the structure of the training and the opportunities available to junior at the firm are also important factors to consider when embarking on a career in a chosen firm. The opportunity to gain experience of different areas of practice and go on secondment can shape the direction of a legal career.

Lastly, I believe that students’ perception of general “fit” with the firm is an important consideration — is this an organisation where you think you would be able to flourish?

When attending virtual and in-person networking events, what sorts of questions should students be asking to get the most out of the experience?

Firstly, don’t waste the opportunity by asking questions you can already find the answers to yourself, rather, try to find out who you are likely to network with (e.g. trainees, newly qualified or perhaps partners at a firm) and modify your questions as a result.

Example questions you can consider directing towards lawyers include:

• What practice area do you work in?
• What do you like about that practice area?
• What do you think is the biggest challenge facing firms such as yours, at the moment or in the near future?

What are your top three commercial awareness topics that you think students should be tracking closely ahead of application season?

All commercial awareness research should be ideally tailored to the type of firm that a student is interested in, but here are some key current affairs topic that students should keep in mind:

• The current position of UK economy
• The potential impact of a change in government
• Technology and in particular AI; its impact on law firms and its use by firm clients
• The law firm as a business

What is your advice for those who are currently, or soon to be, on vacation schemes this summer?

It’s important for students to be aware that as soon as you arrive at the door, you are being ‘assessed’ either informally or formally. To that end, make sure you’re being yourself whilst also maintaining professionalism; be courteous to other vac-schemers and staff; and be organised and intellectually curious throughout the experience. Key to all of this is good communication through both talking and actively listening to others.

Lastly, do you have any tips on how to learn from rejections?

Rejections are of course disappointing, and they can feel like impossible setbacks at the time. My advice is to appreciate that you will feel distracted by a rejection to begin with, and that this is only natural. However, after you have given yourself some time to recover and reflect, try to understand the reasons behind the rejection through seeking feedback from the organisation if need be. You may be able to learn and grow from that information and put it to good use in your future endeavours, drawing strength and resilience from your new knowledge.

Don’t give up– it’s inevitable that you will experience setbacks when you are pursuing significant goals such as securing professional employment. Maintaining your sense of presence and persistence throughout is key.

Sandie Gaines will be speaking at “Secrets to Success London — with Travers Smith, Reed Smith, Farrer & Co, Radcliffe Chambers and ULaw”, an in-person student event taking place this Thursday (4 July).  Apply now to attend.

About Legal Cheek Careers posts.

Also confirms 84% retention score

City law firm Macfarlanes has increased the salaries of its newly qualified (NQ) lawyers by 22%, raising them from £115,000 to £140,000.

The outfit has also upped trainee pay from £50,000 to £56,000 in year one and £55,000 to £61,000 in year two.

The Legal Cheek Firms Most List shows that the NQ rise brings Macs in line with US firm Orrick and £5,000 ahead of Hogan Lovells, which increased its rates from £120,000 to £135,000 earlier this month.

Separately, Macfarlanes confirmed a retention rate of 84%, with 27 out of 32 final-seat trainees staying on. All of them are joining on permanent contracts.

Jat Bains, early legal careers partner, said: “We are excited to welcome our September qualifiers across a range of practice areas and congratulations to this talented cohort. We are proud to invest in our trainees so that their careers can thrive at Macfarlanes.”

Catherine Morgan-Guest, early legal careers senior manager, added: “We are committed to providing exceptional training and support to further the careers of the diverse group of talent we recruit. They are intrinsic to what we do and the future of our firm.”

Group says lawyers should have option to reject work contributing to climate crisis

A group of law students from across the US and UK have ranked law firms based upon their climate accountability.

The group, comprised predominantly of US student with a contingent from UK universities including Cambridge, Bristol, and London Metropolitan University, have allocated a grade to 100 top law firms from across the globe.

The highlighted firms include a number based in the UK, and others with significant presences in London.

Authored by Law Students for Climate Accountability, the report grades firms — A through to F — for their involvement in climate related litigation, and whether “the client’s interest was either mitigating or exacerbating climate change”, transactions, and lobbying.

“Our goal is not just to discourage business with poorly ranked firms, but also to incentivise improvement among all firms, even and especially those with the most harmful work,” the group states.

Comparing the new results to the last set in 2023, the document notes that the 100 firms have decreased transactional work for fossil fuel clients while increasing work for renewables clients, with fossil fuel lobbying also decreasing whilst renewable lobbying has increased.

In their recommendations, the group focus on the position of clients in choosing which firms to give their business to. “Many clients have commitments to climate justice, racial equity, and social justice more broadly, and may question whether they should give additional business to the same lawyers who represent companies and corporations making the largest contributions to the climate crisis,” the report continues.

A number of pledges and suggestions are also given to law students and law firms. Students are encouraged to focus on “recognising the unprecedented immensity of the climate catastrophe”, and doing all that they can to “stigmatise and ultimately eliminate the legal industry’s complicity in perpetuating climate change”.

Law firms, on the other hand, are implored to not take on any new work that supports the fossil fuel industry, and phase out any existing work “by 2025, at the latest”. For firms currently taking on work related to the fossil fuel industry, it is suggested that “employees have the opportunity to decline work that will perpetuate the climate crisis and harm frontline communities”.

There are few practice areas more interesting than crime, says David Green, Academic Manager and criminal law lecturer at ULaw Birmingham

“Crime attracts a certain type of person. You need a particular type of personality to survive a career in criminal law because although it seems sexy, the reality in practice isn’t quite so glamorous,” says David Green, Academic Manager and criminal law lecturer at The University of Law (ULaw)’s Birmingham campus. “The hours are long, and it’s a really adversarial area of law, so you need to be able to cope mentally with the fact that you’re always up against somebody else: whether it’s the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), the police, or the courts service. You’re always in that ‘rough-and-tumble’ and that’s not for everyone,” he says.

Having had a “fairly traditional” route into legal practice, Green undertook the LPC with The College of Law (ULaw’s predecessor) before beginning his career in criminal defence. “I worked my way up through a specialist criminal law firm, becoming a partner and later a Higher Courts Advocate before making the step over to legal education at ULaw,” he tells Legal Cheek Careers. “I always tell my students: given that we’re all likely to be working until we’re 75 now, everyone has time for two careers! For me, moving over to ULaw just felt like the right time for me to try something different.”

Digging into his attraction to life in criminal law, we’re keen to ask Green his reasoning behind forging a legal career in this direction. “I had done quite a lot of work experience during my degree, especially in mixed practice firms, and I think this is one of the best ways as a student to get a good sense of whether you will actually like certain areas of law,” he says. After having completed some work experience in criminal legal practice, Green says he just fell in love with it. “In order to adapt to such an intense daily working environment, it helps if you can learn to make light out of often dark situations,” Green explains. “I think the closest profession to being a criminal defence solicitor is being a doctor. You need to be able to find the humour in the horrible things that happen, and still be able to switch off at the end of your shift, go home, and be present in your personal life.

 “What really drew me to crime was the fact that it’s fun. There’s no other area of law where you find such odd things that have happened to people! I have a fascination in how seemingly ordinary people can often find themselves caught up in the criminal justice system,” he says. “There’s a huge range of clients you’re dealing with, which is brilliant. I love the cut and thrust of it; the adversarial nature of the practice—and no two days are ever the same!”

Speaking on his experiences of becoming a partner in a criminal defence practice, Green explains that naturally, his responsibilities ratchetted up a notch. “Attaining partnership meant not only taking on more complex and high-level cases, but also taking a new responsibility over the business itself. In a legal aid practice, this means trying to be as efficient as possible,” he says. In contrast to many commercial practices, Green explains that criminal firms have to stay flexible and agile. “No matter what the government threw at us in terms of legal aid reforms, we had to think about how we could continue to make money in a new and changing system.”

Given current political events, we ask Green how he imagines the general election is likely to impact criminal practices in the UK that are reliant on legal aid cases. “The sad reality is that there are no votes in legal aid. The only people voting that have an interest in legal aid reforms, are for obvious reasons, legal aid lawyers. Many people never consider that they will have the need for legal aid, and therefore this issue remains rather invisible,” he says. “Nobody asks to be dragged into the criminal justice system; whether you’re a victim of a crime or accused of a crime, you’re pushed into that system by the state. So, I think it’s fundamentally wrong that the state doesn’t have a system in place to properly provide for legal representation in every situation,” he explains.

“Unfortunately for many who need legal aid to access justice, it’s not really on the agenda of either of the big political parties, so it’s unlikely that we’ll see an improvement in legal aid policy in the near future,” he says.

Nevertheless, the introduction of the SQE is opening the doors to publicly funded practice for law students. Rather than having to bag ‘golden ticket’ training contracts in criminal law, students can now build their two years’ qualifying work experience (QWE) in criminal practice and qualify as a solicitor through this new route. We ask Green how ULaw is preparing its students to succeed on the SQE and to hit the ground running in such a demanding legal practice. “For SQE1, single best answer questions (SBAQs) assess far more detailed or niche areas of law and procedure than were being assessed previously. So, our teaching has become much more specific by delving into all of the detailed areas of criminal practice much more than we did previously, to ensure that our students are prepared,” he says. “Students are now being assessed as a day one solicitors rather than as trainees. So, the level of knowledge taught on our SQE programmes has also shifted up a couple of degrees; we’re teaching to a much higher level.”

For students who are keen to embrace the “rough-and-tumble” of criminal legal practice, they are not only taught by qualified criminal lawyers, but they can also gain first-hand experience at ULaw, says Green. “Students can go to our pro bono clinic at ULaw and gain legal work experience actually dealing with real clients. This is a great way very early in a legal career, to feel the pressure of having a real person in front of you with a real legal problem that you’re trying to solve,” he says. With employability skills at the core of ULaw’s student offering, Green is keen to emphasise the part that advocacy plays in building the skills that future criminal lawyers need in practice. “There is no other area of law where advocacy is so fundamental to practice as in criminal law. I also teach advocacy skills as part of ULaw’s Bar Practice Course (BPC) for future barristers. Advocacy, though a skill which students are often afraid of, is taught at ULaw the same as any other skill like riding a bike. It’s a case of practising, reflecting on your practise, and practising again!”

Discover more tips on succeeding in your legal career this afternoon at ‘Secrets to Success Birmingham — with Pinsent Masons, Reed Smith, DWF, Browne Jacobson and ULaw’ an in-person student event running tomorrow, Thursday (27^th June). Apply for one of the final few places.

About Legal Cheek Careers posts.

Cold partners = red flag? asks TC hopeful

In the latest instalment of our Career Conundrums series, an aspiring solicitor questions whether a negative experience during a vacation scheme is enough to deter them from pursuing their “dream” firm.

“Hi Legal Cheek. I completed a vacation scheme at what I would say is my ‘dream’ firm and it didn’t exactly go how I expected. While the grad rec team were very friendly and the vast majority of sessions/tasks were really interesting, my interactions with the some of the lawyers (including partners) just seemed really cold. I spoke to several over the week and I got the impression they didn’t want to be there. Perhaps they were busy or I just caught them at bad time – who knows?! I did however speak to quite a few of the current trainees who all seemed relatively friendly. I am now questioning myself if this is really the firm for me? Should I not look into these interactions too much, or should I see them as red flag?”

If you have a career conundrum, email us at tips@legalcheek.com.

Nearly half cite lack of info for not switching

Just over a quarter of small and medium (SME) law firms are yet to take up the Solicitor Qualifying Exam (SQE) as a route to qualification, new research has shown.

Of the 27% who haven’t yet adopted the pathway, nearly half (44%) cited a lack of information for not making the switch. A quarter additionally reported a lack of “buy-in” internally as a barrier, with 6% concerned about the cost.

With the transition windows from the Legal Practice Course to SQE running officially until 2032, nearly a third of firms (31%) said that now was simply not the right time to make the transition across to the new scheme. “However”, the report states, “the reality is that the LPC window of opportunity is closing quickly with a real shift expected over the next couple of years”.

The research, undertaken by legal education provider BARBRI, also noted that 53% of SME firms have taken on apprentices, with the majority doing so to bring in new talent and up skill existing lawyers, and a smaller number only looking to achieve one of those objectives.

Of the 46% of firms not to take up the pathway, 36% said that they “prefer more traditional routes”, with 28% concerned about the time required for recruits to acquire skills, and 16% worried about the quality of candidates on offer.

The report surveyed 127 figures across SME law firms, 84 of whom were senior decision makers, with the other 43 paralegals or people in similar roles.

SME law firms were defined as those with less than 250 employees and an annual turnover under £50 million.

‘Deeply honoured’, says Amy Marren

A solicitor apprentice has been awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours 2024 for her contribution to further education and apprenticeships.

Amy Marren, a final year solicitor apprentice at BPP and former GB Paralympian, has been made a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.

After taking a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Paralympics in the 200m individual medley, Marren made the switch to law, taking up a solicitor apprenticeship with BPP’s legal team.

Noted in her citation as “a tireless promoter of the opportunities apprenticeships offer”, Marren has established and run the first Legal Apprentice Society, served as a panel member for the Institute of Apprenticeships and Technical Education under the Department of Education, and is an Apprentice Ambassador for the London Apprenticeship Ambassador Network.

“I am deeply honoured to receive this MBE,” she said.

“It has been incredibly rewarding to see the growth of the Legal Apprentice Society and to be part of initiatives that support apprentices across the country”, she continued. “I am grateful for the support from BPP and my colleagues, and I look forward to continuing our work to enhance and expand apprenticeship opportunities.”

Alongside her Rio success, Marren also took home a host of medals three years earlier at the 2013 IPC Swimming World Championships.

Want to find our more about solicitor apprenticeship opportunities? Check out The Legal Cheek Solicitor Apprenticeship Most List 2024, your go-to guide on everything from pay and locations to number of places and training structure.

250 spots up for grabs

The Commercial Bar Association (COMBAR) has launched its flagship student mentoring scheme for 2024-25 with a record number of chambers getting involved.

The programme, which sees students receive a series of one-to-one mentoring sessions, has this year attracted mentors from across 25 commercial sets, with at least 250 mentee spots expected to be on offer.

These participating sets have also agreed to cover reasonable travel expenses for the mentees allocated to them.

In addition to mentoring, students will be invited to a pupillage interview and application workshop and social event in January 2025, which last year featured a keynote introductory speech from Mr Justice Foxton, the Judge in Charge of the Commercial Court.

Legal Cheek is also pleased to announce it will once again act as exclusive media partner for the programme, ensuring that it reaches as many potential applicants as possible.

The scheme targets applicants from under-represented groups at the bar, especially the commercial bar. It assesses candidates with realistic prospects of obtaining a pupillage based on their need for mentoring and their potential for a career at the bar.

Alexander Gunning KC, chair of COMBAR, commented:

“The promotion of diversity at the Commercial Bar continues to be one of COMBAR’s core aims. It is vital that the Commercial Bar recruits from the most talented future practitioners, including, in particular, those from backgrounds that have traditionally been under-represented.”

He continued: “This initiative allows applicants from under-representative backgrounds, who meet the requisite standards, to access one-to-one mentoring with practitioners from 25 participating sets. It is an important way of promoting access and demonstrating that the Commercial Bar is open to applicants from all backgrounds. I am delighted that this year’s Scheme can build on the success of previous years and I want to thank all those involved volunteering their time to make this happen.”

Students must apply by Friday 20 September using COMAR’s application form.

The participating chambers are: 3 Verulam Buildings, 4 New Square, 4 Pump Court, 7 King’s Bench Walk, 11 King’s Bench Walk, 36 Stone, Blackstone Chambers, Brick Court Chambers, Devereux Chambers, Essex Court Chambers, Fountain Court Chambers, Gatehouse Chambers, Henderson Chambers, Keating Chambers, Maitland Chambers, Monckton Chambers, One Essex Court Chambers, Quadrant Chambers, Radcliffe Chambers, Serle Court, South Square , Twenty Essex, Wilberforce Chambers, XXIV Old Buildings.

BPP’s Head of Outreach joins future trainees to discuss the key considerations when selecting a prep course

With so many options available, choosing the right Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) course can feel overwhelming for aspiring lawyers.

During a recent Legal Cheek virtual event (full video embedded above), Jonny Hurst, BPP’s Head of Outreach and former partner at a City law firm, teamed up with SQE1 Award Leader Julie Harris to discuss key factors to consider when making this crucial decision, including costs, pass rates, reputation and content.

They were joined by future trainees from two City firms and a current trainee from BPP’s Social Impact Team, who shared their experiences of preparing for the exams and offered advice to those considering this route to qualification as solicitors.

Legal Cheek is running ‘The SQE series’ with BPP University Law School. The video of each session will be made available one month after each virtual event together with further FAQs arising from each session which SQE experts from BPP are answering.

About Legal Cheek Careers posts.

‘I had the opportunity to live my dream, kicking people for a living,’ Hassan Haider tells Legal Cheek

A former Team GB athlete has hung up his dobok and donned a suit and tie after making the switch from Taekwondo training camps to a training contract.

Hassan Haider, who took up the martial art at four and achieved a black belt by nine, has a unique career changing story, moving into law after retiring from his international sporting career.

Having become British Champion, Junior Commonwealth Champion, and winning an international gold medal before sitting his GCSEs, Haider joined the GB Academy in 2017 after gaining a place on the Tokyo Olympics Programme

“I had the opportunity to live my dream, kicking people for a living and representing my country Team GB all around the world,” Haider told Legal Cheek.

“I achieved multiple medal winning tournaments across the world gaining a place in the top 30 world ranking, he explained. “I had the opportunity to represent Great Britain at 2 World Championships, two European Championships and Grand Prix events which only the top 32 world ranked athletes compete in.”

Although his career came to an end in 2020 after narrowly missing out on a spot in Tokyo, Haider has since pivoted into law.

“I was studying a part time LLB course while training and competing and upon leaving the team my performance director at GB Taekwondo got me connected with a corporate partner at Hill Dickinson,” Haider told us.

After completing his law degree at Manchester Metropolitan University while working as a legal assistant, the martial arts expert was promoted to paralegal before bagging a training contract at Hill Dickinson‘s Manchester office.

“I began my training contract in 2024 and I look forward to seeing where my career takes me in this exciting new chapter in my life,” he said.

Haider isn’t the only lawyer to revel in the thrill of competitive sports, however. Freshfields‘ London Managing Partner, Mark Sansom, is an international racing driver in his spare time, with Squire Patton Boggs partner Wayne Barnes recently retiring from refereeing after officiating 111 international rugby matches.

A handy summary of the week’s workshops and presentations

Legal Cheek’s Summer Virtual Vacation Scheme and Law Fair 2024 in partnership with The University of Law, saw over 2,000 students participate in workshops, presentations, an Employability Expo and law fair with more than 25 leading law firms in attendance.

The scheme took place over five days last week and students heard from lawyers in a range of practice areas, from energy to Islamic finance. Attendees received an insight into how various legal scenarios are approached in practice, through a combination of speaker presentations and discussions on case studies provided by ULaw.

Here is everything that went down…

Day 1

Session 1: Deals

The speakers

• Georgia Bridgen, Corporate associate at Jones Day
• Oliver Hewitt, Corporate associate at Jones Day

 What went down…

The session started with Georgia and Oliver presenting a 40-minute talk. The speakers discussed their career paths and their motivations for pursuing a career in law, with Georgia having studied law and Oliver having pursued a non-law route. They also spoke about the non-rotational structure of the Jones Day training contract and what drew them to a transactional practice at the firm. Next, the speakers explained the typical stages of a transaction and discussed deals that they had worked on in the past, exploring the key issues that arose during the transaction and the timescales involved.

The presentation was followed by a two-part Q&A, firstly considering questions that the audience had for the speakers. These addressed advice on how to build and maintain commercial awareness, including useful resources to facilitate this, as well as the balance between independence and support on Jones Day’s non-rotational training contract. Finally, the speakers offered their thoughts on the case study set for the session, discussing the range of practice areas involved in a single transaction and how communication is key to managing client expectations.

Session 2: Disputes

The speakers

• Kristjana Nikolls, Litigation associate at Willkie Farr & Gallagher
• Emilia Demetriades, trainee solicitor at Willkie Farr & Gallagher

What went down…

Following the opening session on deals, students turned to look at the world of disputes. Offering an insight into litigation were Willkie, Farr & Gallagher associate Kristjana Nikolls, and trainee solicitor Emilia Demetriades. The duo kicked off by discussing the varying roles that trainees, associates, and partners have in a dispute, before moving to a case study covering a recent record-breaking dispute overseen by the firm.

This gave the opportunity to explore and explain the process of a dispute and its challenging yet rewarding nature, emphasising the significant role that trainees and junior lawyers play alongside senior leaders.

The panel then moved to answer questions submitted by the audience. On the agenda was the impact of AI and legal tech on litigation, methods for handling stressful situations, and the perks of working at an elite US firm. Budding litigation lawyers were also given advice on key skills for success at Willkie, centring on a can-do attitude, time management, and being considerate of other lawyers and their individual demands.

Day 2

Session 1: Energy

 The speakers

•  Kevin Atkins, Energy, environment & infrastructure partner at BCLP
• Hansy Shore, Energy, environment & infrastructure associate at BCLP

What went down…

 The third day of the scheme kicked off with a masterclass on energy from two lawyers in BCLP’s energy, environment & infrastructure team, partner Kevin Atkins and associate Hansy Shore.

Both panellists spoke about their career journeys to date, with Kevin recollecting issues sparked by the Arab Spring, and Hansy noting her recent work on electric air taxis in Dubai. Novel challenges, innovation, and variety were all frequently used by the pair to describe why they entered into the energy field, and also the most enjoyable aspects of their work.

The speakers went on to offer their insights on issues surrounding renewable energy, energy security, and advising clients in tumultuous social and political circumstances. They rounded off by touching on the potential for moral dilemmas in an energy practice, whilst recognising the need for patience in a time of transition.

Finally, the panel discussed a case study surrounding the need for law firms to focus on ESG, taking a client-focussed approach, and emphasising the need to meet clients’ sustainability and environmental goals and attitudes in order to compete in a busy market.

 Session 2: Employability Expo

 The speakers

• Karen Watts, LPC and SQE programme and student lead at ULaw
• Amy Baulcombe, Student recruitment manager at ULaw Leeds
• Steven Joesbury, Student recruitment manager at ULaw Birmingham
• Hannah Coe, Senior student recruitment manager at ULaw
• Sophie Threlfall, Student recruitment manager at ULaw

What went down…

The SQE Explained

Karen Watts, Associate Professor at the University of Law, conducted an in-depth session on the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). She began by discussing the various routes into legal practice, highlighting the traditional and new pathways available for aspiring solicitors.

Watts then focused on the solicitor route to practice, introducing the SQE as a key component. She explained that the SQE is a two-stage exam required for qualification as a solicitor in England and Wales. SQE1 tests legal knowledge through multiple-choice questions, while SQE 2 assesses practical legal skills via written and oral tasks.

She elaborated on who the SQE affects, noting its relevance for all new entrants to the legal profession. Watts also detailed the assessment format, explaining that SQE1 consists of 360 questions divided into two exams, while SQE2 includes 16 practical exercises. Lastly, Watts discussed the benefits of the SQE, such as the flexibility that comes with the qualifying work experience (QWE) route and potentially providing more opportunities to study and work together to gain the qualification.

Firm Research and Applications

Student recruitment manager at ULaw Birmingham Steven Joesbury gave a comprehensive overview of law firm research and applications, covering everything from scouting out practice areas to firm culture and interview technique.

Throughout the session Steven emphasised the need to adopt an individual and personalised approach, both when determining which practice areas or firms best suit a candidate, and when considering the quantity of applications. The talk rounded off with interview advice, offering some help on how to approach the daunting “do you have any questions for us” question.

Ace your Interviews Workshop

ULaw student recruitment manager, Amy Baulcombe, took attendees through her top tips on how to succeed at interviews, whether virtual, in- person or over the telephone. Amy covered all stages of the interview process, from essential pre-interview preparation to calming nerves during the interview itself. She also considered how students might follow up after the interview to leave a lasting impression. Amy rounded off the session by discussing a framework that is particularly useful for more unpredictable questions, to make sure this session’s attendees are never caught off guard!

Writing Effective CVs and Cover Letters

During this session, ULaw senior student recruitment manager Hannah Coe and student recruitment manager Sophie Threlfall shared their top tips for writing effective CVs and cover letters. Both talks began by outlining the recommended structure to follow on a CV, with sections covering personal details, education, work experience, extra-curricular activities and skills. Coe and Threlfall emphasised the importance of keeping these documents simple, formal and concise, by avoiding bold colours and artistic fonts, as well as maintaining a consistent style throughout. Students were also advised to pay close attention to detail, using terminology to emphasise their strengths, as well as proofreading thoroughly to avoid silly mistakes.

Day 3

Session 1: Islamic Finance

The speakers

• Imam Qazi, Partner and head of Islamic finance at Foot Anstey
• Lingxi Wang, Islamic finance managing associate at Foot Anstey

What went down…

Imam Qazi and Lingxi Wang from Foot Anstey’s Islamic Finance team introduced the session by detailing the scope and importance of their work. Qazi began by explaining what Islamic Finance entails, highlighting its core principles such as the prohibition of interest, risk-sharing, and ethical investments. Wang further elaborated on the specific services their team provides, including Sharia-compliant financing and investment solutions tailored for clients seeking ethical and equitable financial products.

The session also included a compelling case study that illustrated a successful Islamic Finance investment project. This example underscored the practical applications and benefits of Islamic Finance, showcasing how it can meet client needs while adhering to Sharia principles. Through their insights, Qazi and Wang emphasized the growing relevance of Islamic Finance in the global financial landscape and Foot Anstey’s expertise in this specialised field.

The session concluded with questions from the audience on different topics such as qualities needed by a trainee in the practice area, memorable aspects of working in Islamic Finance and how to keep up to date with industry trends. The speakers also discussed the rise of Islamic Finance as an alternative finance structure and its potential for future growth in Fintech.

 Day 4

Session 1: Fraud

The speakers

• Robert Hunter, Former Allen & Overy and Herbert Smith Freehills partner, and founder and trustee at City Disabilities

 What went down…

Day 4 of the Scheme kicked off with a session on fraud and asset tracing featuring Robert Hunter, former Allen & Overy and Herbert Smith Freehills partner, and founder and trustee at City Disabilities.

Hunter began the session by reflecting on his career journey from psychology student through to partner and head of fraud at two top City firms, all whilst coming to terms with his profound deafness.

During his talk, Hunter offered an insight into the work involved in his area of practice, and outlined the different injunction orders that can be brought against fraudsters to recover stolen assets. He also emphasised the perils of dealing with professional fraudsters, who were often vindictive criminals, and shared numerous tales from his 35-year career. Despite these challenges, and the long hours he worked, Hunter emphasised that he never lost sight of his desire to bringing fraudsters to justice.

To round off the session, Hunter urged aspiring lawyers not to feel disheartened if their career journeys don’t immediately go to plan – from personal experience, he emphasised that it often takes time to find your niche.

Session 2: Commercial Awareness Masterclass

 The speakers

• Alex Aldridge, Founder and publisher of Legal Cheek
• Ellen Marsh, Careers manager at ULaw

What went down…

Legal Cheek founder and publisher Alex Aldridge conducted a whistle-stop tour of the key commercial awareness issues that students need to focus on as they prepare for the next training contract application cycle. Starting with the current generative artificial intelligence (AI) boom, Aldridge looked at some of the different waves of innovation that have driven economic growth over recent years. He then moved on to consider the impact of rising inflation, and the accompanying increases in interest rates, that the world has seen over the last few years. Higher rates mean fewer mergers & acquisitions (M&A) and more restructurings and insolvencies as companies face a squeeze on their cashflow and ability to borrow money. Law firms have to respond accordingly, he noted.

Also on the agenda was geopolitical instability and trade wars, which Aldridge explained are threatening to usher in a new era of protectionism, where governments support national industries at the expense of the wider global economy. This trend ties in to politics in a year with many crucial elections taking place, including in the UK and the US. And finally, Aldridge looked at the trend for companies to focus not only on profit but consider wider environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors as they make strategic decisions. Could definitions of ESG shift over time, he asked, as governments of different persuasions take power?

In all of the above Aldridge identified opportunities and challenges for law firms — whether that be an uptick in commercial contracts and data privacy instructions for AI rollout, a decline in M&A activity or a renewed premium on local legal expertise in an ever more complex global trade environment. “Law firms are famously well-hedged when it comes to changing economic weather, which is one of the things that makes law such a stable profession relative to other industries,” he said.

 Day 5

Session 1: Training in-house

 The speakers

•  Elizabeth Hutchinson, trainee solicitor at Accutrainee
•  Grace Golding, senior legal counsel at HSBC

 What went down…

Elizabeth kicked off this session by guiding the audience through her legal training to date, as a secondee in-house at several financial services companies. Elizabeth gave an honest insight into what steered her away from private practice, reflecting on the greater autonomy offered in-house. She covered the differences between these two pathways, before succinctly detailing the nature of the work she has recently been involved in. She ended her presentation by discussing the hard and soft skills an in-house role requires, reassuring the audience that whilst communication and good research is key, knowing every area of the law is not!

Grace commenced her presentation by discussing her progression from paralegal to senior legal counsel at HSBC. Grace described the varied opportunities which have kept her in-house, despite dipping her toe into private practice early on in her career. She went on to explain how an in-house legal team fits into the wider company structure, being both a cost to the business but also an integral player in safeguarding the company’s profit and position. Grace also touched on how the legal team at HSBC forges relationships with its panel of law firms, before concluding with advice for students considering this alternative route to qualification.

 Session 2: Alternatives to Corporate Law

The speakers

• Isaac Abraham, Immigration, asylum and human rights lawyer at Wilson Solicitors
• Myriam Naoual, Family law trainee at Family Rights Group
• Josie Hicklin, Housing and public law solicitor at Lawstop

What went down…

Issac Abraham kicked off the session explaining that his interest in immigration law stemmed from his involvement with campaigning groups at university. Becoming an immigration lawyer allowed him to help people navigate through inherently unjust systems.

Next up, Myriam Naoual delved into her own career journey. Training as a solicitor at the Family Rights Group, she advocates for kinship care through policy work, while simultaneously carrying out legal work focused on child welfare law. This practice area is different, she explained, in that there is constant interaction with professionals such as social workers and psychologists.

Josie Hicklin followed by discussing her work with homeless people who are denied housing assistance, which requires her to ‘play around with the edges of the law’. Hicklin emphasised the importance of volunteering at law centres and legal clinics as it led to future opportunities in her experience.

The session concluded with a Q&A session, during which Abraham noted, ‘A career in welfare law is possible, it is achievable, and you shouldn’t let the relatively narrow focus of legal education and law school dictate the career you go into.’ Naoual and Hicklin nodded in agreement.

About Legal Cheek Careers posts.

Cambridge takes top spot

The latest set of law school rankings has been released, with Nottingham and Edinburgh firing into the top ten.

The latest 2024 Complete University Guide also shows some movement in the top four, with Cambridge climbing into pole position, and Oxford dropping below London outfits UCL and LSE to take the fourth spot.

Further down King’s College London has kept its 5th position, with Durham remaining in 6th, and Glasgow and Bristol 7th and 8th respectively.

Impressively, Edinburgh University has climbed five places to come in at number nine, followed by the University of Nottingham, climbing eight places to rank at 10th.

There have been some even more substantial shifts further down on the 109-university power list. The University of Gloucestershire has climbed 17 spots to reach 76th, with Abertay University rising 27 positions to 68th.

New entrant Bath Spa University clocked in at 41st.

The rankings are based on entry standards, student satisfaction, research quality and graduate prospects.

Ranking	Law school
1	Cambridge
2	UCL
3	LSE
4	Oxford
5	King’s College London
6	Durham
7	Glasgow
8	Bristol
9	Edinburgh
10	Nottingham
11	Queen’s University Belfast
12	Strathclyde
13	Warwick
14	Queen Mary
15	York
16	Sheffield
17	Aberdeen
18	Exeter
19	Cardiff
20	Leeds

ULaw student Freya Patten shares her experience of the SQE and her transition from a science grad to future lawyer

Freya Patten, an SQE student at The University of Law (ULaw)’s London Moorgate campus, began her education journey in the sciences before switching to law.

Having secured a training contract at DLA Piper and now embarking on the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE), she spoke to Legal Cheek Careers about the realities that non-law students face on this new route to qualification and how the exams particularly impact neurodivergent students.

Can you tell us a little bit about your education so far?

In secondary school, I was really interested in biology and the humanities, so I pursued these passions at A-Level by taking biology, chemistry, and philosophy. When it came time to choose a university course, my interest in the sciences led me to environmental sciences because it combined most of my interests. This broad undergraduate program, which included biology, chemistry, physics, geology, geography, and social sciences, offered numerous career options, making it a solid foundation for my future

What prompted you to make the switch from science to law?

When I began my first year of environmental science at the University of Southampton, law quickly became a real interest for me. This interest developed as I researched different career paths. The main paths that attracted me were environmental consultancy and environmental law, which would inevitably require further legal education. I started taking the necessary steps to transition into a legal career with a focus on environmental law. Protecting the environment is a passion for me, and I want a career where I can make a real difference.

Which aspects of SQE1 did you struggle with the most, and how did you manage to overcome these challenges?

I think I struggled the most with the structure of the exam day. During revision, you reach a point where you’ve covered everything you need to know; the knowledge itself isn’t the issue. The challenge lies in the way you are assessed. The knowledge tested is pinpointed to very specific areas, and you’re presented with five answer options that are all equally legally valid. In my opinion, practice is absolutely key.

I also struggled with my dyslexia during SQE1. It is well-known that students with learning difficulties are at a disadvantage with multiple choice questions. The SQE1 exam consists of 360 single best answer questions, which is a huge task. Due to my dyslexia, I was given extra time, which extended my total exam time to around six and a half hours in one day—very challenging.

To manage this, I practiced repeatedly and ensured I had measures in place to take breaks on the exam day without becoming overwhelmed. It’s important to stress that this style of exam is particularly discriminatory towards students with learning difficulties.

While the underlying law is the same for both SQE1 and 2, SQE2 tests the knowledge in a very different way. How did you find the transition between the two assessments?

I must admit, it was very strange getting used to the examination style of SQE1, only to shift gears for SQE2. I found that I not only had to change the way I revised, but also the way I initially learned the content.

For SQE1, you could learn the content to the extent that you felt confident pinpointing the right answer based on the knowledge you had accumulated. However, with SQE2, you’re not afforded the same luxury. You don’t necessarily get the same ‘hints’ that consistent practice with SQE1 exams provides.

Because of this, I felt like I had to revisit and re-learn the knowledge from SQE1 in a different way. With SQE2, the written exams require a deep understanding of the underlying law to analyse and reach a reasonable conclusion. For the SQE2 oral exams, you not only need to know the material but also how to present it, how to communicate with a judge, how to conduct interviews, and how to ensure the client is comfortable in the interview setting. Each of these requires a vastly different skill set and approach.

What did you find most challenging when preparing for SQE2?

The most challenging was this transition; trying to switch gears effectively. Having to re-learn and revise the SQE1 content again was particularly intense.

It didn’t help that the SQE1 exam results were released around six weeks before we were expected to take the SQE2. So, I struggled a little with motivation! We suddenly had very limited time ahead of the release of SQE1 results to prepare for the next SQE exams that were in many ways even harder than SQE1.

For this reason, I must admit that I personally found that SQE2 was the more challenging set of exams out of the two.

What was your experience of the SQE1 and 2 exam days, and was there anything about them that caught you off-guard?

At this stage, the administrative errors around the SQE exams were common knowledge.

But personally, when it came to the exams, I feel like I had quite a smooth run! Given that I’m dyslexic, I was allocated to a specific test centre which contributed to an overarchingly positive experience. Having said this, I don’t have any experience with the neurotypical test centres and therefore I cannot comment on this specifically.

It’s true that we weren’t allowed water in the exam room for the SQE 1 or SQE 2 written exams as they were computer rooms. However, we were allowed outside of the exam room whenever we wanted to drink. Nothing caught me off guard necessarily as I had done a considerable amount of prep for the day. For me, the prep felt like it was the one thing I could control — I could ensure I knew what to do during the exam itself.

I was undoubtedly shocked about the SQE1 errors on the results though. That was a very stressful day. I received an e-mail from the SRA that just said, “your results to the SQE 1 have been changed, please log in to see” — my heart dropped right to my feet.

You completed a law conversion course before starting the SQE. Do you think this course is essential for non-law students before beginning the SQE?

Personally, I cannot stress enough how important my law conversion course was. It covered all the black letter law essential for a law degree and for taking the SQE. Without this core legal knowledge, I wouldn’t have been able to pass the SQE. This is because, when you’re completing the LLM in preparation for the SQE1 exams, these core law areas are not covered. You go straight into ‘practical’ legal modules, assuming you already know the basics. So, in the end, I believe that skipping the PGDL won’t save you costs in the long run, but rather, that it increases your chances of success in qualifying.

Lastly, is there anything you would have done differently in any aspect of your SQE journey?

I wouldn’t change anything about my leg of the journey running up to SQE1 purely because I passed and that in itself, I consider an absolute miracle!

With SQE2, I worked as much as I could, although I would have potentially started preparing for the oral exams a little earlier. But, because of the way the SQE2 exams are structured, I found it hard to focus too much on the exams that were a few weeks later. On the flip, I think it was beneficial to practice my orals with my friends and listen to others advocate and interview.

Freya Patten will be speaking at ‘The SQE: students and law firms share their stories — with ULaw’, a virtual student event taking place on Tuesday 25 June.  Apply now to attend.

About Legal Cheek Careers posts.

City Law School’s James Catchpole questions exclusion of SQE students in long-awaited research

A senior figure at one of the country’s largest law schools has criticised a recent report on performance disparities among ethnic groups in law exams, arguing that its failure to consider the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) means an “enormous opportunity has been missed”.

Speaking to Legal Cheek, James Catchpole, The City Law School’s associate dean for postgraduate and professional degree programmes, said the long-awaited report had “great potential to be insightful and educate the profession on how students from ethnic minority backgrounds perform in assessments and ultimately progress into the profession.” Instead, “it appears that an enormous opportunity has been missed by it focusing on the LPC, a route that will be coming to an end, and failing to look at the appropriateness of the SQE as a method of entry or means of addressing the ‘awarding gap’”.

The research, commissioned by the regulator in December 2021 and undertaken by academics at the University of Exeter, found that differences in performance among candidates from certain ethnic groups were due to a combination of social, economic, and educational factors, rather than any single reason.

The study involved 1,200 law students, including 700 from university law degrees last year and 510 from the LPC, and conducted more than 50 in-depth interviews with students, newly qualified solicitors, law lecturers, and senior managers in law firms.

Researchers did not interview current or past SQE students because, according to the regulator, the pathway is still relatively new and lacks sufficient numbers or specific experiences to include in the report. It’s worth noting, however, that the SRA has a separate ongoing review programme of the SQE that will address issues related to equality, diversity, and inclusion, among other things.

“Whilst the SQE is only one of the components to entry, it is nonetheless the culmination of a student’s study,” Catchpole continued. “So will it help them or, as some have said, disadvantage them further? The report fails to give any insight into how any student can be supported to succeed in this new assessment.”

The report highlighted that minority ethnic students face increased discrimination and bias in educational settings, limited access to work experience opportunities, and a lack of ethnic diversity among academic staff and teaching examples. Researchers noted that this environment affects students’ sense of belonging and perception of fitting into the profession, leading to microaggressions and bias from academic staff, which ultimately impacts their learning experience.

As in previous years, the SRA’s latest education and training report showed that students from ethnic groups were less likely to successfully complete the LPC, a trend that has continued with the introduction of the SQE.

In response to the findings, the SRA has committed to bringing together education providers, law firms, and the wider legal sector to work together to address the issues identified in the report. It said it will also develop an action plan informed directly by the findings.

Continuing, Catchpole noted that the report provides evidence supporting what many have long believed about the challenges faced by aspiring minority ethnic lawyers, describing this as a “positive development”. It also gives “the profession cause to look inwardly at its recruitment and entry requirements; let’s hope that employers do genuinely give those with potential the opportunity to demonstrate that they are valuable assets to the profession”.

A spokesperson for the SRA told Legal Cheek:

“There is a widely acknowledged and long-standing difference in outcomes by ethnicity within professional legal assessments. Through this research we wanted to better understand the complexity and breadth of the underlying causes of these differences, and bring together stakeholders from across the sector to consider how we might address these.”

They continued: “The trends we are seeing in SQE results mirror those which existed for years among LPC candidates, whose experiences this research analysed. As we take forward the findings and recommendations from this research, we will increasingly consider the insights we can gain from the rich data we are gathering on SQE candidates and their performance.”

Amid marking howlers and failure to deliver on transparency pledges, the profession is losing confidence in the new Solicitors Qualifying Exam. It all boils down to lack of leadership, says legal education godfather Professor Nigel Savage. Will anyone step up?

Now that the dust has settled on the SQE exam results fiasco, it’s a good time to reflect. We’ve all made mistakes; the test is how you handle them with swift comms and appropriate sensitivity.

Judging by the student response across social media and websites like Legal Cheek, I’m not sure that happened. I know anecdotally from my own network that there are serious issues in the administration of the SQE.

However, that shouldn’t detract from the strategy. I supported the reform and its already delivering on some of the objectives. The concept of qualifying work experience instead of the training contract has removed a huge bottle neck, particularly for paralegals and the apprenticeship market will eventually restore the old five-year route of qualifying entirely from within the workplace.

Undergraduate law schools cannot ignore the SQE and do so at their peril. They will be judged on their outputs and cannot lay all the blame on the new prep providers. Meanwhile, there is greater competitive pressure from new providers, some of whom have brought substantial investment into the market from overseas.

So where has SQE creator the Solicitor Regulation Authority (SRA) fallen short? The strategy was right, but they have failed to deliver on tactics. To borrow a quote from warfare: “Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory”, which is presumably why the SRA are saying there will be no changes for ten years. I attended some of the early meetings where we were assured that the SRA would publish league tables on where candidates completed their law degrees and prep courses. Indeed, it was a requirement raised in the Legal Services Board (LSB) approval when they stated: “it is essential that the SRA delivers on its commitments to monitoring and evaluation including making all reports, data and assessment of these for public consumption”.

There doesn’t seem to be any immediate prospect of publication, the excuse being that such data is not available. Surely if the application form to register for the SQE required students to provide that information it would already be available. Given the SRA’s wider responsibility in terms of consumer protection (not to mention the LSB) it is surely in the public interest for all students, parents and employers to have access to this data given the level of investment they are making in the profession.

It has always been argued that the data requirement shouldn’t extend to undergraduate schools because they are regulated by other bodies, but those regulators won’t have access to such data and are not likely to ask for it unless the SRA supply it. The American Bar Association publishes annually a comprehensive set of data for all accredited law schools on success rates in the State Bar exams as a form of consumer protection — and they have 198 schools and 117,000 students to manage!

I think there is a marked lack of interest, leadership and ownership in the sector from the LSB, the Law Society and the SRA, especially in representing the interests of the student consumers making their way through the system. I think some of the tactical issues are falling between the gaps as between regulation and membership — and amid the posturing much of what the Law Society used to engage in to support the framework has been forgotten.

LawCAB provides real support for student applicants and does some gathering of data, plus there are some excellent pockets of tactical leadership such as the recent initiatives emanating from the City of London Law Society. The danger is that such leadership is fragmented and leads to duplication of scarce resources. I saw this happen many years when the pro-bono movement gathered speed, lots of very worthy projects but not co-ordinated which resulted huge duplication of resources eventually mitigated by the appointment of a Pro-bono Tsar.

Universities are facing the perfect storm, with law schools — even research-led ones — facing huge challenges which put at risk their very existence and work in key areas such as justice, diversity and overseas links. Such law schools are now located in ‘Super Faculties’ where they compete for resources with other disciplines who may be supported by external organisations which are more vociferous and proactive than their legal counterparts. I well remember when the Legal Practice Course (LPC) was first introduced, and the Law Society appointed the fearsome Paulene Collins to manage validation visits and rate providers on a scale of excellent to unsatisfactory. If the provider was not providing sufficient resource, or falling short on key issues such as diversity, they would be highlighted in the report. That provided a framework to address changing patterns in the legal services market and highlight real innovation . That no longer exists and the market has to be informed on the basis of social media and marketing puff.

In the area of apprenticeships some vice chancellors are reluctant to support them because they are regulated and monitored by OFSTED and inspectors may not have sufficient expertise in some degree level fields. Surely the SRA and Law Society could train individuals with specialist expertise to join such panels and work with OFSTED to encourage more universities to embrace the route?

There has been much innovation across the sector, particularly the SME sector, but I have been surprised by how much of the old training contract regime has been retained in the City firms. I thought that the SQE would provoke some radical changes not least driven by the Richard Susskind future of law agenda ,with a reduction in the numbers but much greater investment in professional development, taking recruits to a higher level quicker. Instead, the firms are engaging in a remuneration battle which is just driving up their cost base.

I guess my main point is that there doesn’t seem be any ‘ownership’ of legal education in its broadest sense. If the findings of the recent University of Exeter Report are to be implemented regulators are going to have to be more interventionist. There must be a clear role for the Law Society in coordinating the tactical issues for aspirant solicitors, but they are hidebound by the fact that they cannot admit students — or anyone else — into membership. I also feel that much more could be done to make the new qualification more accessible to students overseas by setting up test centres in key jurisdictions. Global legal services are an important sector for the UK economy and encouraging lawyers overseas to acquire the professional status without the need to travel would add value to sustaining the pre-eminence of English law globally.

Professor Nigel Savage previously ran three law schools under three different solicitor qualifying regimes. He led Nottingham Law School through the switch from Law Society Finals to the LPC, was then the CEO of The University of Law and finally headed up The College of Legal Practice as it launched to deliver the SQE. He no longer has any law school affiliations.