Urgent advice needed – should I apply for the SQE or LPC this September?

[Adam Davis]

I am accustomed with the LPC study and assessment format. However, the LPC seems redundant as most firms prefer the SQE.
Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

 

[LegendaryPanda]

Following to obtain advice on similar issue

 

[Jessica Booker]

Unless you are applying to firms who are recruiting for training contracts starting in 2025, I would apply for the SQE.

For the firms recruiting for 2026/2027/2028 training contracts, there will be a very small pool of candidates who are eligible for the LPC and so many firms are moving to the SQE (if they have not moved already).

The LPC training contract has more restrictions and regulations - you have to be a recognised training provider, you have to see three distinct areas of law, you have to do the PSC, you have to have a Training Principal. All of those things are not needed in the SQE training contract, and so firms and employers prefer the SQE because of its flexibility and freedom.

If you were to do the LPC, you may find you still end up having to do SQE2 anyway where firms are not offering LPC training contracts any more.

 

[kavin333]

Yeah, LPC is still a valid route to becoming a solicitor, even if some firms prefer SQE. If you've already started or completed LPC, it's not redundant! But if you're considering switching to SQE, weigh the pros and cons and think about your career goals and personal preferences.

 

[Jane Smith]

The only reason to do the LPC now (for those very few people who are allowed to qualify the LPC way - most aren't) in my view is if you are 100% sure you will fail a closed book set of exams like SQE1 either because you cannot remember anything and need open book exams or your brain works in a way that means multiple choice is impossible for you. In those cases then LPC will be easier to pass and you can then do SQE2 only after (or find a TC that just wantts LPC - unlikely) (although even there SQE2 uses some SQE1 material so some big firms put LPC people through both of SQE and 2 now to give better chance of passing SQE2)

 

[kavin333]

The only reason to do the LPC now (for those very few people who are allowed to qualify the LPC way - most aren't) in my view is if you are 100% sure you will fail a closed book set of exams like SQE1 either because you cannot remember anything and need open book exams or your brain works in a way that means multiple choice is impossible for you. In those cases then LPC will be easier to pass and you can then do SQE2 only after (or find a TC that just wantts LPC - unlikely) (although even there SQE2 uses some SQE1 material so some big firms put LPC people through both of SQE and 2 now to give better chance of passing SQE2)

So you can kind of "skip" SQE1 this way? Seems like a loophole

 

[Jessica Booker]

So you can kind of "skip" SQE1 this way? Seems like a loophole

This is only during the transitionary period to ensure that people who have already invested in the LPC are not completely disadvantaged and have an opportunity to qualify via the SQE instead.