QWE Explained
Understanding Qualifying Work Experience requirements
What is Qualifying Work Experience?
Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) is a mandatory requirement to become a solicitor in England and Wales. You need to complete the equivalent of 2 years of full-time work experience that provides you with the opportunity to develop some or all of the competences in the Statement of Solicitor Competence.
The QWE can be completed before, during, or after passing the SQE assessments, giving you flexibility in how you structure your path to qualification.
Key Requirements
Years Required
Complete the equivalent of 2 years of full-time work experience (can be done part-time over a longer period)
Confirmed by SRA
Must be confirmed by a solicitor or Compliance Officer for Legal Practice (COLP)
Flexible Timing
Can be completed part-time, full-time, or across multiple placements over any period
Where Can You Gain QWE?
Law Firms
- ✓Trainee solicitor positions
- ✓Paralegal roles
- ✓Legal assistant positions
- ✓Document review roles
In-House Legal Teams
- ✓Corporate legal departments
- ✓Government legal services
- ✓Public sector organizations
- ✓Charity legal teams
Alternative Legal Services
- ✓Licensed conveyancers
- ✓Legal advice centers
- ✓Law centers
- ✓Citizens Advice Bureaus
Other Organizations
- ✓Barristers' chambers
- ✓University law clinics
- ✓Accountancy firms (legal dept)
- ✓Consulting firms (legal advisory)
What Counts as QWE?
Experience Must Provide Opportunity to Develop Competences
The work doesn't need to cover all competences, but it must give you the opportunity to develop at least some of them. The Statement of Solicitor Competence includes:
- • Ethics, professionalism, and judgment
- • Technical legal practice
- • Working with other people
- • Managing themselves and their work
- • Communication (written & oral)
- • Negotiation and advocacy
- • Client relationship management
- • Business and financial awareness
Examples That Count
- • Drafting legal documents
- • Client meetings and advice
- • Legal research
- • Case management
- • Advocacy and representation
- • Contract negotiation
Examples That Don't Count
- • Purely administrative tasks
- • Photocopying and filing only
- • Reception duties
- • Non-legal work
- • Work without any legal element
Track Your QWE with Our Free Digital Tracker
Stay organized and monitor your progress toward 2 years of qualifying work experience. Log placements, track hours and competencies, and export your data for SRA submission.
- Track up to 4 placements
- Visual progress bar
- Saved locally (no account)
- Export to JSON
Recording Your QWE
Keep a Record
Document your experience as you go, noting the dates, hours worked, and competences developed.
Get It Confirmed
A solicitor or COLP must confirm your QWE. They don't need to have supervised you directly but must be satisfied that your experience meets the requirements.
Submit to SRA
Submit your confirmed QWE to the SRA through mySRA portal when you apply for admission as a solicitor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I complete QWE before passing the SQE exams?
Yes, absolutely. You can complete your QWE before, during, or after passing SQE1 and SQE2. This flexibility allows you to structure your qualification journey in the way that works best for you.
Does my QWE need to be in a law firm?
No. QWE can be gained in various settings including law firms, in-house legal departments, government legal services, alternative legal service providers, law centres, and even university law clinics. What matters is that the work provides opportunities to develop solicitor competences.
Can I do QWE part-time?
Yes, QWE can be completed part-time. You need the equivalent of 2 years full-time work. The SRA does not prescribe specific hours - they expect employers to take a common-sense view of what constitutes full-time equivalent. If you work part-time, it will simply take longer to complete your QWE.
Do I get paid for QWE?
This depends on your employer. Traditional training contracts and paralegal roles are typically paid positions. However, there is no requirement for QWE to be paid work. Some candidates gain QWE through voluntary positions or pro bono work.
Can I count work experience I completed before the SQE was introduced?
Yes, you may be able to count previous legal work experience as QWE, even if it was completed before September 2021 when the SQE was introduced. It must meet the QWE requirements and be confirmed by a solicitor or COLP.
Who can confirm my QWE?
Your QWE must be confirmed by a solicitor of England and Wales or a Compliance Officer for Legal Practice (COLP). They do not need to hold a practising certificate. They don't need to have directly supervised you, but they must be satisfied that your experience meets the requirements.
Can I split my QWE across multiple organisations?
Yes, you can complete your QWE across up to four different organisations. Many candidates build up their 2 years through various paralegal roles, internships, and other legal positions. Each placement can be confirmed separately.
Need Funding?
Explore loans, scholarships, and employer sponsorship options to fund your SQE journey while completing QWE.
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Discover paralegal opportunities to earn while gaining your QWE. Learn about roles, salaries, and where to apply.
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Explore paralegal positions and other opportunities to gain your Qualifying Work Experience.