Guide to Law Training Centre’s QWE Training Record for the SQE

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Aldword

Guide to Law Training Centre’s QWE Training Record for the SQE explains how candidates should record Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) on the route to qualifying as a Solicitor of England and Wales via the SQE. It describes why completing the record can support identifying competencies, strengths and weaknesses, and effective preparation. The guide outlines QWE eligibility, including full-time-equivalent requirements, permissible placements, and what counts as “legal services” under the Legal Services Act 2007, with emphasis on real (not simulated) experience.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages9

Reading Time23 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

About QWE

Overview of the requirements

Where can QWE be undertaken?

What are legal services?

How many competencies should be developed?

Guide to QWE Training Record for the SQE T: 0330 088 8495 E: [info@ltckent.co.uk](info@ltckent.co.uk) [www.ltckent.co.uk](www.ltckent.co.uk) Guide to Law Training Centre’s QWE Training Record for the SQE 1. Introduction Law Training Centre’s QWE Training Record is provided for you to record information relating to your Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) on your route to qualifying as a Solicitor of England and Wales via the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). You are not required to submit a training record to the SRA when you register your QWE or when you apply for admission as a solicitor, however completing this training record may assist you in the following ways: • Outline some or all of the competences you have developed that are required for effective practice as a solicitor. • Demonstrate the skills, knowledge and behaviours you have had the opportunity to develop. • Identify areas of strength and weakness to assist in your preparation for the SQE2 (if not yet completed). • Aid discussions with your supervisor and/or the solicitor confirming your QWE on the direction of your training. Before completing the training record, please read all of the information contained within this Guide. In Part 2 of the Guide an outline of the requirements of QWE is provided with key information to consider. In Part 3, details on how to complete Law Training Centre | Guide to Law Training Centre’s QWE Training Record for the SQE 2 of 9 2. About QWE The information provided in this section is to assist you in understanding what your work experience needs to satisfy to amount to QWE. 2.1 Overview of the requirements All candidates will need to complete at least two years’ full-time (or equivalent) QWE, that’s grounded in legal work and the provision of legal services, developing some or all of the competencies set out in the statement of solicitor competence. QWE providers/employers are expected to take a common-sense view of what is meant by full time as the SRA does not prescribe the number of hours required. Candidates are not limited to a single placement. Up to four placements may be completed to add them together to reach the two years’ QWE requirement. 2.2 Where can QWE be undertaken? QWE must involve providing legal services. To qualify, the work experience must involve providing legal services, rather than simulated. It can be paid or voluntary and within various capacities including: • Work experience placement; • Employed as a paralegal; • On a training contract; • At a charitable organisation or law centre; or • Working in a law clinic such as with Law Training Centre’s partner, Access Law Clinic. The QWE can be gained in England and Wales or elsewhere and does not need to cover English and Welsh law. 2.3 What are legal services? The Legal Services Act 2007 (s. 12) defines legal activity and can help candidates decide whether their role involves delivering legal services. Because some or all of the competencies are likely to be part of delivering legal services, any work that meets this definition of legal activity is likely to be QWE. Section 12(3) provides that “legal activity” means: (a) an activity which is a reserved legal activity within the meaning of this Act as originally enacted, and (b) any other activity which consists of one or both of the following: i. the provision of legal advice or assistance in connection with the application of the law or with any form of resolution of legal disputes. ii. the provision of representation in connection with any matter concerning the application of the law or any form of resolution of legal disputes The forms of reserved legal activity are provided by subsection (1) as: the exercise of a right of audience, the conduct of litigation, reserved instrument activities, probate activities, notarial activities or the administration of oaths. Subsection (5) outlines that “legal dispute” includes a dispute as to

FAQs

What is the purpose of Law Training Centre’s QWE Training Record for the SQE?

It helps candidates record information about Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) for the SQE route to qualifying as a solicitor in England and Wales. It also supports preparation by mapping developed competences, skills, and behaviours.

How long does QWE need to cover and can it be completed across placements?

Candidates must complete at least two years’ full-time (or equivalent) QWE grounded in legal work. QWE can be built across up to four placements to reach the two-year requirement.

What work counts as “legal services” for QWE?

QWE must involve providing legal services, not simulated work. Legal activity under the Legal Services Act 2007 includes reserved legal activities and activities such as providing legal advice or representation related to law or legal dispute resolution, while excluding judicial or quasi-judicial activities.

Sep 21, 2026

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