The legal landscape is changing. As someone who juggled studying for Solicitor Qualifying Exams (SQE) 1 and 2 with working as a paralegal full time, I can definitely say that the SQE qualification process feels like a marathon, not a sprint. For the professionals managing these aspiring solicitors, understanding the challenges is key to supporting their success.
One of the biggest misconceptions swirling around the SQE is that it’s ‘easier’ than the LPC because it’s multiple-choice. While SQE1 might involve ticking boxes, don’t be fooled. It’s a closed book exam comprising of 360 single best answer questions, testing a vast breadth of legal knowledge. SQE 2 involves 16 skill stations over five days – testing legal knowledge, practical legal skills and professional conduct.
Another challenge? The traditional training contract route (where you spend a year focusing on studying, followed by two years focusing on working) is fading. Gone are the days of moving departments and experiencing a different area of law every six months. Though the opportunity to study and work in parallel can result in qualifying up to a year sooner, the SQE process does not always allow separate time to focus solely on studying.
Many paralegals are now navigating the SQE while working in one or two specific areas of law, trying to apply what they learn across 16 modules. This can feel like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. Imagine learning about company law while specialising in family law – it’s a mental workout! Studying, managing course commitments and study groups around work can feel like a second full-time job. I often found myself experiencing burnout whilst attempting to balance between the two.
The sheer volume of information to absorb felt daunting at times, even as someone who had just finished their law degree. You feel like you are re-learning everything you studied before in a greater level of detail. The standard is significantly higher. The LPC tested to the standard of a day one trainee, whereas the SQE tests to the standard of a day one solicitor. Plus, the financial burden of the exams and preparatory courses adds another layer of stress.
Flexibility and encouragement
So, what can senior professionals do to support their junior colleagues through this legal labyrinth? Offer flexibility and be kind about the amount of work happening out of the office. If there are several members of your team or firm going through the qualification process, encourage them to work together – a sense of community certainly helped me feel less alone in this journey.
But it’s not all doom and gloom. The SQE route certainly has some advantages. Paralegals can apply what they’re learning in real-time, real-world scenarios, which reinforces their understanding and makes the theory more tangible. They can also complete their qualifying work experience (QWE) concurrently with their studies, potentially leading to faster qualification.
QWE both replaces the need to apply and wait for a training contract, and allows people to qualify as a solicitor whilst working in various legal roles. You don’t just have to work as a paralegal, you can work at a law clinic, be on placement in your law degree or even volunteer in a charity or law centre. Plus, there is no requirement to work full time, you can work part time whilst you study, granting flexibility and the ability to work at your own pace.
Time management is crucial. Creating a study group with friends or colleagues is invaluable – shared struggles and mutual support can make all the difference. Don’t be afraid to be honest with your employer about the chal- lenges of balancing work and study. They were in your shoes once.
And perhaps most importantly: prioritise your mental wellbeing. Talk to your family and friends, take regular breaks, and schedule in non-study/non-work activities. Making sure I put time into my hobbies, exercise and social life made the process feel far more manageable.
One thing to remember about embarking on a fairly new qualification process is that the SRA is still finding its feet. In April 2024, Kaplan (the exam administrators for the SQE) announced that it had wrongly told students that they had failed SQE 1 as there had been an error with marking. Or, several students who sat SQE 2 who had been marked 0 on a station due to a technical error and ending up failing SQE 2 as a whole. News like this can definitely add to the stress. I can confirm, I sat that exact same series for SQE 1, and when I sat SQE 2 in November 2024, my computer had a technical error and I may have lost the work done on one of the stations. I don’t know the results yet, so I’m keeping all my fingers and toes crossed!
The SQE is a significantly more demanding qualification route than the LPC. With understanding, support, a healthy dose of wit, (and maybe some caffeine), paralegals can navigate this maze and emerge as qualified solicitors.
And for the professionals guiding them? Your empathy and support are not just appreciated – they’re essential.
Find out more about DFA Law on 01604 609560 or visit their website.
Paralegal
DFA Law
