SRA consults on SQE regulations
Solicitors Regulation Authority
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has published its consultation on the regulations which would see the new Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) come into effect.
Following a two-year period of extensive engagement, the SRA's Board has already agreed to the introduction of an independent assessment, the SQE, to make sure all solicitors meet consistent, high standards at the point of entry to the profession.
The consultation sets out the changes to regulations necessary for the SQE's introduction, ahead of its implementation no sooner than September 2020. It also sets out it will, in the future, affect those that have already qualified, such as overseas lawyers, who want to apply to practise as solicitors in England and Wales.
The consultation will run until 26 July 2017. It can be found here: http://www.sra.org.uk/sra/consultations/new-regulations.page
Further details about the decision to introduce the SQE can be found at: www.sra.org.uk/sra/news/press/sqe-ensure-high-consistent-standards.page