Dual-Qualify as a Solicitor in England + Wales
Expand your horizons with dual qualification
If you are a qualified lawyer in another jurisdiction looking to qualify as a solicitor in England & Wales, there is now a new route to qualification. In 2021 the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) replaced the Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme (QLTS) as the main route.
BARBRI has based its SQE Prep courses on the success of the QLTS Prep by BARBRI which mirrors the new assessment style.
Check out this video for a lawyer's perspective on dual qualifying in England & Wales through the SQE.
New Route to Qualification
For qualified lawyers outside England & Wales, London remains a major centre of activity and the prospect of practising in the UK is an attractive one. This is an opportunity to widen your legal career beyond your jurisdiction, whether you wish to practice locally or abroad.
As a qualified lawyer, you don't have to demonstrate Qualifying Work Experience (QWE), so all you need to do to qualify is to pass the two stages of the SQE and satisfy the character and suitability requirements as set out by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).
If you are qualified in certain jurisdictions, you may be eligible for an exemption from part of the SQE. For more information on exemptions and how to apply, please check the SRA website. SQE2 exemptions can be found here.
Key Features for You
Flexible Course Options
Full and part-time course options available. Study when and where you want. The courses are designed to work around you.
1:1 Learning Coach
Throughout your studies you'll be supported by a dedicated team of experienced learning coaches who will guide you through your course.
Personal Study Plan
We use our AI system, the Intuitive Study Assistant and Coach (ISAAC), to create a bespoke Personal Study Plan (PSP) which adjusts to your progress and performance.
A Course Tailored for You
As technology improves, the way we live our lives is changing rapidly. Every aspect of life is becoming more digital, making remote learning from around the world the norm. The good news is that in recent years BARBRI has been at the forefront of online learning and education technology.
We have designed our courses to prepare you in the most efficient way possible, using our innovative learning technology. Our Intuitive Study Assistant and Coach (ISAAC) is the AI system that drives your course. ISAAC powers your Personal Study Plan (PSP) which sets out exactly what you need to learn and when, allowing you to study efficiently and confidently.
We also offer SQE Foundations, a short course which covers the fundamentals of English and Welsh law, which you can take just before your SQE Prep course to help build confidence. This is particularly useful if you are from a civil law jurisdiction.
Take the Next Step
Qualified Overseas Lawyer Prospectus
Learn more about the route to SQE qualification, how SQE exemptions work and more.
SQE Prep Preview
Try out our course for free by using the SQE Prep Preview. This handy tool will give you an insight into what we offer, and how it could work for you.
SQE Foundations
BARBRI SQE Foundations is a short course that can help increase your confidence before undertaking your SQE1 Prep studies. If you have a legal background from a civil law jurisdiction, this will provide you with the fundamentals needed to feel confident before starting your SQE1 Prep course. This is available only with the SQE1 Prep 40-week and 20-week course options.
FAQs
You may find that you are exempt from parts of the SQE.
If you have undertaken the Legal Practice Course (LPC), you may be exempt from the SQE1.
If you are qualified lawyer with work experience in another jurisdiction looking to dual-qualify in England and Wales via the SQE, you may find that your home jurisdiction is in the list of exemptions for either the SQE1 or SQE2.
We recommend the 40w/Flexible course, and if you’re new to the common law system of England and Wales, you may find the optional Foundations in Law course useful.
There is no English language requirement for the SQE2 exams. However, the SQE2 is made up of written and oral assessments, so candidates should feel comfortable speaking and writing in English.
Please bare in mind that if you are an overseas lawyer, exempt from SQE2, you may need to demonstrate your English language competence. For more information on this, please visit the SRA website here.
Yes, we will ship to the address you include in your myBARBRI account. There are no additional fees for international shipping. Please note that some countries might be excluded due to current affairs; please enquire here for more information.
Visit the UK Government website here to check if you need a UK visa for your stay.
The best course depends on your local qualification requirements. We recommend checking with your jurisdiction’s legal authority and speaking to our advisors, who can guide you on the most suitable course based on your experience and where you intend to practise.