How can a foreign national become a lawyer in the UK?

Dec 04, 2022

Written By Claudia Chan

It is not uncommon for foreign nationals to qualify as a lawyer in the UK. If you decide to move to the United Kingdom to practise law, you will have to follow specific requirements. This article will demystify the process of qualifying in the UK from overseas.

If you want to qualify as a solicitor in the UK

As of 2021, all qualified overseas lawyers who want to become a solicitor in England and Wales will now have to complete the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). This is a centralised assessment that all aspiring solicitors in England and Wales must pass before qualifying, regardless of the legal qualifications they may have.

According to the Solicitor Regulation Authority (SRA), a qualified lawyer is someone who has a legal professional qualification which allows them to practise in the UK, or an international jurisdiction.

There are certain criteria that a qualified lawyer must meet:

- Have a degree that is the same level as a UK degree.

- Significant work experience may be considered as equivalent to a degree, but this will be looked at on a case by case basis.

- Pass both parts of the SQE. SQE1 is a multiple choice test examining legal knowledge, while SQE involves assessing practical skills via oral and written exams.

- Meet the SRA’s character and suitability requirements

Unlike other aspiring solicitors, qualified lawyers do not need to complete qualifying work experience to practise. However, work experience may be considered when considering an application for SQE assessment exemption.

As mentioned above, qualified lawyers can apply for exemptions from the SQE. This assessment is based on their qualifications and/or experience.

Certain international qualifications are noted as having an agreed exemption for the SQE2 exams. The list of qualifications can be found here. If your qualification isn’t listed, you can still apply for an individual exemption for SQE1 and/or SQE2, but it will be considered on a case by case basis.

If you want to qualify as a barrister in the UK

If you are a qualified lawyer from overseas and you are interested in practising as a barrister in England and Wales, you’ll need to transfer to the Bar.

There are three main components to becoming a barrister: the academic component, the vocational component, and the pupillage/work-based learning component. Depending on your work experience and qualifications, you may be exempt from some or even all of these requirements

To receive an exemption, submit an application to the Bar Standards Board, providing details of your work experience and qualifications. In the application form, you should explain how your experience makes you exempt from the three components of Bar training. Application forms and guidelines can be found here. It costs £440 to apply, and you’ll receive your result within 10 weeks.

If you receive full exemption from training, you’ll be able to practise as a barrister once you’ve been admitted to an Inn and Called to the Bar. However, this exemption may be dependent on you passing specific Law Conversion Module Assessments.

If you receive partial exemption, you’ll need to complete the necessary academic, vocational or work-based training, and potentially certain Law Conversion Module Assessments.

If you have obtained a degree overseas/are an overseas student

Students who have completed a full-time degree in any subject from an overseas university are eligible to study the Postgraduate Diploma in Law. This year-long course is not necessary, but will give you a strong foundation in English law.

Then, you can complete the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) if you want to become a solicitor, or the Bar Training Course (BTC) if you want to be a barrister.

For the vocational component of qualification, aspiring solicitors complete two years legal work experience, while future barristers complete pupillage within a barrister’s chambers. If you have legal work experience in your home country, this may count towards the two years experience required.

Becoming a Lawyer in the UK - International Students