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I have recently been going through the Solicitors Regulation Authority and it seems that Indian Qualified Lawyers with PQE's of 2 years plus can apply and receive an exemption from the SQE-2 examination which is conducted.
Can any lawyer(s) who have given the SQE-1 or applied for an exemption explain whether the SRA actually grants exemption from the SQE-2 examinations.
Note: The goal here is to secure the exemption which makes it easier to obtain the admission as a solicitor.
The SRA had specifically mentioned than an Indian degree is not a recognised qualified degree and hence is not eligible for exemption (even the US JD is not lmao)
For Indian lawyers: All you need is a license to practice in a different jurisdiction (that is your Indian state bar license) - then you can write SQE 1 and SQE 2 both, no need for even work experience, no questions of what degree you got.
https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/topics/international/how-to-become-a-solicitor-a-guide-for-international-lawyers-and-overseas-students
2. If you are a law grad but not qualified lawyer in India, then just get registered in India first then write sqe
Degree is not an issue here as some people who have heard things about QLTS and don’t know anything much about SQE would suggest
Also some universities like university of law in the UK will tell you that you need to do a bridge course first to write SQE - not true. Foreign qualified lawyers can write sqe, no bridge course needed.
If in doubt, write a mail to law society and SRA, they would respond.
Remember- do not try to qualify as a foreign educated law student, try to qualify as a foreign qualified lawyer.
All the best!
See here for more details- https://www.sra.org.uk/become-solicitor/qualified-lawyers/sqe-exemptions/