For many aspiring solicitors based outside the UK, one of the most confusing aspects of the SQE route is understanding how QWE works, and more importantly, how to make it count.
At the College, we support many international students through this process. Based on common questions we receive and student experiences shared with us, here’s a practical guide to navigating QWE from overseas.
What is QWE?
QWE is one of the four key elements required to qualify as a solicitor in England and Wales under the SQE route. You must complete two years’ full-time (or equivalent part-time) experience delivering legal services and developing solicitor competencies. This can be completed in or up to four organisations and doesn’t have to be through a traditional training contract.
Importantly, there is no geographical limit on where QWE is gained, and it doesn’t need to be in a legally-regulated firm or organisation.
So, whether you’re working in a legal role in the UK, Asia, the Middle East, or elsewhere, your experience may count. as long as it aligns with the Statement of Solicitor Competence and is signed off correctly.
What kind of work counts?
The SRA requires your QWE to include meaningful legal activity, not just admin or compliance tasks.
Examples of acceptable tasks include:
- Legal research and drafting
- Client interaction
- Applying legal knowledge to factual situations
- Providing legal advice under supervision
On the other hand, tasks such as AML checks or filing paperwork, without any legal application, may not meet the criteria alone.
To ensure your role qualifies, map your tasks to the SRA competencies and keep a clear, dated record of your experience.
Who can confirm QWE?
This is often a requirement that those working abroad can find the hardest to comply with. To be valid, QWE must be confirmed by:
- A SRA-regulated solicitor of England and Wales, or
- A SRA-regulated Compliance Officer for Legal Practice (COLP)
There are two main scenarios for how confirming your QWE can work:
- Internal sign-off:
If your organisation already employs a solicitor or COLP regulated in England and Wales, they can sign off your QWE even if they do not supervise you directly. They just need to be confident in the accuracy of your experience, based on a portfolio, internal oversight or assurance from your supervisors. - External sign-off:
If no one at your organisation is eligible, you can arrange external sign-off. This must be from a solicitor or COLP regulated in England and Wales who has first-hand knowledge of your work — such as regular conversations with your supervisor or direct review of your work.
In both scenarios, the individual signing off does not need a practising certificate.
They are confirming that:
- The work experience took place over the stated duration
- It gave you the opportunity to develop relevant competencies
- No character and suitability issues arose during that time
To help with this, you should keep a clear and detailed work experience log, using the SRA’s template and as you go through your role, make sure that you have sufficient evidence and details to share with the individual that you would like to ask to confirm it for you.
Additional guidance for SQE applicants
If you're studying or working abroad, we recommend:
- Clarifying your supervisor’s credentials early on, preferably before your placement or role starts. There is guidance for employers on QWE on the SRA’s website (add link)
- Documenting your work experience regularly and thoroughly, using the QWE template on the SRA’s website if required.
- Contacting the SRA directly with questions
- Referring to our dedicated guidance for international lawyers