Legal Cheek’s annual conference gathered together key figures from across the profession to discuss GenZ, SQE, apprenticeships, skills gaps and more

Yesterday, LegalEdCon 2025 returned to Kings Place in London for talks exploring the hottest topics in legal education and training.

Nearly 300 delegates gathered to hear the latest industry insights from leading experts in the legal field. This year’s conference featured sessions on a variety of topics, including the practical developments in the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) regime, diversity, intergenerational workplaces, the science behind learning, and solicitor apprenticeships.

Thom Brooks returned with insights and laughs for the keynote session, continuing his analogy between the SQE and Brexit. His emphasis on reform and improvement to better the SQE for students, providers, and firms capped off the fascinating and poignant themes covered over the day.

Session 1: Mind the gap: tackling workplace readiness

The speakers:

• Morette Jackson, Director of Business Development at The University of Law (chair)
• Joanna Stevens, Senior Early Talent Manager at Charles Russell Speechlys
• Ellis Johnstone, Early Talent Development Lead at Clifford Chance

ULaw’s Morette Jackson, Director of Business Development, kicked off LegalEdCon 2025 by chairing a session focused on workplace readiness. The session asked important questions about how equipped incoming trainee solicitors are for life at a law firm. Jackson spoke about her experience in education before turning to a survey conducted by Legal Cheek. The survey statistics and comments led to a rich discussion with graduate recruiters Joanna Stevens of Charles Russell Speechlys and Ellis Johnstone of Clifford Chance about how their firms are tackling workplace readiness, accounting for the SQE, Covid graduates and generational differences.

Jackson left the lecturn to join her co-speakers on stage for a roundtable Q&A. Joanna Stevens discussed how Charles Russell Speechlys build workplace readiness using their business school. Stevens added that LPC graduates were not required to take SQE2 when joining the firm, but flagged that SQE resits have been disruptive. Apprentices, meanwhile, were praised for their enthusiasm, drive, proactivity, and good exam results — and more exposure to workplace norms.

As Ellis Johnstone said, “law firms now have four generations under one roof”. He noted that some trainees in Clifford Chance’s pipeline had never in their lives taken an exam in-person thanks to Covid, coursework and hybrid working — requiring new pastoral strategies from Johnstone and his team. He noted that setting expectations was key to bridging generational divides.

You can read more about the Legal Cheek workplace-readiness survey here.

Session 2: The psychology of learning

The speakers:

• Alisa Gray, Director of Learning at BARBRI (chair)
• Roy Morgan, Training & Design Specialist at BARBRI
• Sue Elabor, Organisational Psychologist at Blueprint For All

Alisa Gray, Director of Learning at BARBRI, chaired the psychology of learning session. This dynamic discussion explored how neuroscience and psychology are shaping modern legal education. Joined by BARBRI colleague Roy Morgan and Sue Elabor of social justice charity Blueprint for All, the panel explained how learning actually works — and how legal educators can make what they’re teaching stick. Gray, a qualified lawyer turned organisational psychologist, introduced the session by challenging attendees to think of learning as “rewiring the brain”.

Roy Morgan reflected on how digital learning has put “everyone in the front row” of the class. He described BARBRI’s use of guessing, spaced repetition, and chunking knowledge in bite-sized pieces to foster long-term knowledge — crucial for SQE prep, but also for lifelong learning.

Sue Elabor emphasised context, particularly for students from socially mobile backgrounds. She highlighted how MCQs can disadvantage learners unfamiliar with culturally-loaded scenarios, and that psychological safety — the ability to make mistakes without fear — is key to encouraging growth. On fostering learning mindsets across age groups and generations, she said: you certainly can teach an old dog new tricks as long as the attitude is right.

The panellists explored attention spans, busting the myth that they’re getting shorter. Instead, they stressed the need to make content engaging and relevant. The session closed with a call for science-informed teaching to improve educational outcomes. Morgan reminded the audience: “it’s not about what we teach — it’s what learners actually take in.”

Session 3: Gen Z: expectations and realities

The speakers:

• Charlotte Wanendeya, Head of Law at BPP (chair)
• Richard Macklin, Former Global Vice Chair at Dentons
• Charlie Moore, Senior Paralegal at Kingsley Napley
• Lou Lecomte, Solicitor Apprentice at TLT
• Colin Shaw, Head of Learning and Development (EMEA) at Norton Rose Fulbright

Charlotte Wanendeya, Head of Law at BPP, chaired a conversation featuring representatives from four generations of legal professionals: Baby Boomer Richard Macklin, Gen Xers Colin Shaw and Wanendeya herself, Millennial Lou Lecomte, and Gen Z Charlie Moore. The panel tackled evolving attitudes towards mental health, hybrid working, pay expectations, and AI.

Moore called for mental health support to be embedded into the culture of law firms, especially to support those from lower-income backgrounds. Lecomte agreed, adding that as well as mental health, Millennials value career transparency and direction. Macklin reflected on a past where anxiety and his recently-diagnosed ADHD were not spoken about, urging law firms to combine support with self-care: “Law is a tough job. Like athletes, lawyers need to stay fit and supported.”

On hybrid working, the panel agreed that firms must adapt to new learning models and embrace change. Shaw said post-pandemic realities call for intentional support and digital inclusion. Though learning “by osmosis” was still important, Macklin stressed that “availability” trumps physical presence.

The discussion also explored salaries. Moore challenged the “golden handcuff” model, saying Gen Z prioritised meaningful work over hierarchy — which Lecomte echoed. Wanendeya noted that fewer of today’s young lawyers are seeking partnership at their firms as ideas of success have changed, meaning law firm models may have to evolve. Macklin pointed out that junior lawyer salaries are much higher than they have ever been in the past, making law a difficult but a well-remunerated job. This seemed to cut to the biggest generational split.

The speakers emphasised interpersonal skills, critical thinking, and collaboration across generations — including in the ways they use tech. Macklin closed by warning: “If you’re not using GenAI in your work today, I’d be worried” but noted that emotional intelligence is a horizontal — not vertical — spectrum, and that every generation has something to learn from the others.

Lunch and networking

Session 4: The SQE unfiltered

The speakers:

• Caroline Lister, Director of Client Partnerships at BPP
• Professor Joanna Ballard, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic at The University of Law
• Jonathan Worrell, Director of Business Development at BARBRI
• Daisy Mortimer, Senior Future Talent Manager at Stephenson Harwood
• George McNeilly, Early Talent Partner at DWF
• Julie Swan, Director of Education and Training at the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)
• Danielle Viall, General Counsel at Legal Services Board (LSB)

Chaired by Legal Cheek publisher Alex Aldridge, the first session after lunch promised to “air” the big questions on the SQE in an unfiltered roundtable. The session covered everything from data (or lack thereof), shifts in law firm recruitment, and how training providers view on the SQE’s benefits and drawbacks.

Some pertinent questions were put to the SRA’s director of education and training Julie Swann on topics including promised data on provider pass-rates, diversity issues and an overall lack confidence in the SQE. Danielle Viall from the LSB in particular mentioned the “red” rating they gave the SRA when it failed to publish SQE data in full.

Law firm representatives explained how taking on SQE trainees has changed their day-to-day work. George McNeilly from DWF mentioned how the firm works closely with law schools to support neurodiverse candidates and those with protected characteristics. Daisy Mortimer of Stephenson Harwood said disruptions due to SQE failures — which are much more common than failures on the LPC — have impacted the recruitment pipeline for firms. She recalled having to tell departments that they wouldn’t have an incoming trainee on very short notice.

ULaw’s Joanna Ballard celebrated the diversity in courses available to candidates but noted that the introduction of the SQE has made it necessary to design entirely new platforms and systems. Jonathan Worrell mentioned that BARBRI offers client-firms live data to review their future-trainees’ ongoing attainment and offer targeted coaching. The SQE has fallen short for self-funding students suggested BPP’s Caroline Lister, who noted this may limit the diversity of firm trainee intakes.

Questions from audience members covered the impact of the SQE on neurodiverse candidates, praised the SQE’s “earn while you learn” qualifying work experience and the SQE access and reinvestment fund.

Session 5: Diversity meets politics

The speakers:

• Giles Proctor, CEO & Head of School at The College of Legal Practice
• Tom Wicksteed, Early Careers Manager at Mishcon de Reya
• Amia Tahir, Solicitor Apprentice at Dentons
• Danielle Lobel-Weiss, Partner at Lee & Thompson

Legal Cheek publisher Alex Aldridge chaired a discussion on how government policy is shaping law firm strategy — particularly around DEI and the uncertainty surrounding funding for Level 7 solicitor apprenticeships.

Giles Proctor, CEO & Head of School at the College of Legal Practice, noted the current uncertainty around apprenticeships but stressed that education providers were preparing for all outcomes. Tom Wicksteed clarified that for certain firms — who only offer school leaver apprenticeships — level 7 funding cuts are not a stressor.

On DEI and President Trump, there was discussion about how government policy can cause seismic shifts for both legal education, graduate recruitment, and law firm strategy.

Solicitor apprentice Amia Tahir shared her inspiring story of choosing a solicitor apprenticeship at Dentons over an offer from the University of Cambridge, praising the apprenticeship model for enabling students from disadvantaged backgrounds to “earn while they learn.” She told the audience that she is now the most highly educated person in her family and earns more than friends still at law school: “I’ve broken the cycle.”

Lee & Thompson partner Danielle Lobel-Weiss celebrated how apprenticeship schemes were enhancing DEI and facilitating on-the-job training for boutique firms. However, she acknowledged that some partners underestimate what apprenticeships involve.

Concerns remained about the need for better outreach programmes to help apprenticeship candidates understand the culture of law firms. Nevertheless, the panel agreed the apprenticeship standard is as high as that for training contract candidates and firms who had not yet adopted the scheme were strongly encouraged too.

Keynote – The SQE is like Brexit: seven years on from his prophetic talk at the inaugural LegalEdCon, Thom Brooks returns with a plan to reform the SQE

The speaker:

• Thom Brooks, Professor of Law and Government at Durham University

Thom Brooks, Professor of Law and Government at Durham University, returned to LegalEdCon for a follow-up to his SQE “TEDtalk” — from all the way back in 2018, at the inaugural conference. A self-proclaimed big Legal Cheek fan, Thom brought great energy to wrap up the conference.

“It struck me in 2018 that things going on with Brexit and with the SQE were similar,” Brooks said, before catching the crowd up on his thoughts. To much chuckling from the audience, he recalled that back then “folks were told the SQE would create better candidates, be a cheaper route to qualification, and be more inclusive — with the data to back it up.”

Drawing an analogy with Brexit, Brooks suggested a lot was said about the SQE — but not a lot that explained what the SQE actually was: “SQE means…SQE,” he said, in his best Theresa May impression.

Picking up on key themes from across LegalEdCon 2025 — diversity, data (or lack thereof), and attainment gaps — Brooks did not hold back in his assessment of these exams. He then asked the pressing question — is it time to stop bashing the SQE?

Brooks set out ten “good ideas” he had drawn from advisory board which included law firms, academics, and recent SQE-takers. These ideas included SQE1 exemptions for law graduates, more northern test centres (or “at least one within 2 hours of Durham!”) and greater transparency on pass-rate data. The delegates, from regulators to academics to law firm recruiters, were hastily taking notes.

Brooks’ funny yet insightful keynote speech made for an outstanding finish to a fascinating LegalEdCon 2025.

Tom Connelly, Legal Cheek‘s editor, brought the conference to a close by thanking the speakers, delegates and headline sponsors BARBRI, BPP University Law School and The University of Law, as well as silver sponsor The College of Legal Practice and additional sponsors Oxford University Press, The National Association of Licensed Paralegals, The Food Chain and Support Through Court.

BPP’s Julie Manson talks exam success

Julie Manson, a module leader at BPP University Law School, first joined the law school in 1998, “when it was still relatively small,” she recalls. Since then, she has combined her role with experience in corporate practice and a range of learning and development (L&D) positions — including roles at an international law firm, another University, and even Christie’s auction house.

This rare combination, practitioner, academic and L&D expert, has led her to her current role as professional skills and behaviours module leader, where she teaches students how law firms operate, how legal practice is changing, and the skills and behaviours you need to be successful in your role within an organisation.

It’s a role that sits at the intersection of knowledge, reflection and, crucially, confidence-building. These are all themes which feature heavily in the SQE2 taster workshop, a virtual student hosted by Julie tomorrow afternoon (Tuesday 8 April).

“The SQE2 is a very different set of assessments to SQE1,” she tells Legal Cheek Careers. “You’ve got to be able to take in new information there and then, whether that’s in writing or through a client conversation, and adapt accordingly. That’s a big shift from SQE1, where it’s all about knowledge recall.”

While the SQE1 focuses on legal knowledge through multiple choice questions, SQE2 is heralded as the more practical stage. It tests oral and written skills like advocacy, interviewing, legal drafting and case and matter analysis. The goal is to ensure that aspiring solicitors can actually apply the law in real-world, client-facing contexts.

“It’s a big shift,” Julie says, “because students often come in thinking it’s just about knowing the law. But SQE2 is about how you use that knowledge, how you listen, how you communicate, how you present ideas in a way that makes sense to someone who might not know the law.”

Julie gives a recent example from a mock client interview. “The students that did well weren’t the ones who talked the most or asked the most questions. They were the ones who listened. You can come in with a script in your head, but if you’re not open to what the client is really saying, you’ll miss the mark.”

This shift from academic prowess to adaptable, empathetic communication is one that excites Julie. “I love seeing that moment where someone realises they’ve got something to offer, that their way of thinking or communicating is valid and useful, even if it’s not what they first expected,” she says. “Everyone brings different strengths to the table, and SQE2 really allows those to come through”.

This focus on confidence and practical application is woven into BPP’s approach to SQE preparation. Students who take both SQE1 and SQE2 with the provider benefit from a structured programme that introduces the core skills early on. “Even though SQE1 is primarily knowledge-based, we embed elements of the SQE2 skills throughout,” Julie explains. “So, by the time students move on to the second stage, they’re not starting from scratch.”

Once students are in the SQE2 phase, BPP offers a blend of workshops, online resources, one-to-one practice sessions including live interviews and advocacy assessments, and what BPP calls a “cycle of learning”. This cycle includes preparation, live practice, reflection and feedback, all essential elements for what she describes as “getting comfortable with being uncomfortable”.

“We ask our students to try everything, even the things they’re unsure about,” she says. “You’re not expected to be perfect straight away. But if you can be brave enough to give it a go, take feedback on board, and keep building, you’re putting yourself in a really strong position.”

This is where events like the SQE2 taster workshop come in. Taking place virtually on 8 April, the session will give aspiring lawyers the chance to get a flavour of what SQE2 is really like, from understanding the key skills to actually participating in real time.

“We want people to get a sense of what this assessment is really testing,” says Julie. “It’s not just about whether you know the right answer. It’s about whether you can communicate with a client, whether you can analyse a situation, and whether you can adapt to the context you’re in.”

The session will also include time for follow-up questions and virtual networking with the BPP team, providing further insight into the qualification process and career planning. “We know this can feel like a daunting stage,” Julie adds. “But the earlier you engage with it, the more you reflect and practise, the better prepared you’ll be.”

So, what are Julie’s top tips for students getting ready for SQE2?

First, stay organised. “Those that do well tend to be really disciplined,” she says. “They follow the structure we provide, they manage their time effectively, and they build in time to revisit their legal knowledge from SQE1, because you’re still tested on that in SQE2.”

Second, be reflective. “We actually assess students on their ability to reflect,” Julie explains, referring to BPP’s internal portfolio element. “It’s not just about doing the skill. It’s about recognising where you’re strong, where you need to improve, and how you’re going to get there”.

And third, say yes to everything. “We offer loads of opportunities for live practice, advocacy, interviews, written feedback, and my advice is to take every one of them,” she says. “Even if you’re nervous. Even if you feel like you’re not ready. Give it a go. That’s where the growth happens”.

It’s this growth mindset, and the belief that legal skill is something that can be developed, that defines Julie’s approach to teaching. She sees her role as not just an educator, but as a confidence coach of sorts, helping students see the value in their own voice and perspective.

And it’s clearly a space she thrives in. “I’ve had a lot of variety in my career so far,” she reflects, “but I always come back to this work. Helping people develop, seeing those shifts in understanding, it’s incredibly rewarding. It keeps me excited about what we do here at BPP”.

Join us TOMORROW for our virtual student event “SQE2 taster workshop — with BPP”.

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Exclusive: Law school giant says guidance refers to ‘controllable behaviours’

BPP University Law School has said it will review its guidance advising students to avoid physical tics during advocacy assessments, clarifying that the advice refers to controllable behaviours and not involuntary movements caused by medical conditions.

As part of the law school’s SQE2 preparation, an introductory advocacy module warns aspiring lawyers that “physical ticks should be avoided” as they may “distract” the tribunal during submissions.

One BPP student who took issue with wording of the guidance told Legal Cheek: “I was surprised to see in BPP study materials a piece of advice telling students to avoid physical ticks during the advocacy assessment in SQE2. As a student with an involuntary tick, this was pretty shocking to read. In my experience BPP are committed to supporting students with reasonable adjustments, however, I cannot say that this careless mistake surprised me. BPP please do better!”

The student — who didn’t want to be named — went on to point out that physical tics are by their nature involuntary and cannot be avoided. The NHS defines tics as “unintentional, fast and repetitive muscle movements” which happen randomly but may be associated with “stress, anxiety, tiredness, excitement or happiness,” and “get worse if they’re talked about or focused on”.

A spokesperson for BPP clarified the guidance, telling us that it “encourage[s] candidates to minimise controllable behaviours — such as fiddling with hair, clothing, or clicking pens that could unintentionally detract from their advocacy delivery”.

They stressed this is “entirely distinct from involuntary conditions, such as those associated with medical conditions, which are, of course, beyond a candidate’s control and would not be penalised under any circumstances”.

The spokerson did however go on to say that it will “review the guidance to ensure it is clear and inclusive”.

BCLP’s Bradley Fisher shares his experience

The number of solicitor apprenticeships offered by law firms has been steadily climbing over the last few years, providing school-leavers the opportunity to earn money and gain work experience while they complete their legal studies.

Bradley Fisher, associate in the real estate team at BCLP, completed a solicitor apprenticeship with the firm while studying with BPP University. We sat down with Fisher, ahead of his appearance at next week’s Pre-SQE Student Summit Manchester — in partnership with BPP, to hear about his experience with BPP, how he balanced work and studying, and his top tips for SQE preparation.

Why did you decide to pursue a solicitor apprenticeship?

I came across solicitor apprenticeships by chance. My dad sent me a link to an article talking about legal apprenticeships and some firms offering them. Apprenticeships were not really promoted when I was at college, so I had to do my own research to find out more information.

I discovered that I could learn whilst I earn, obtain a law degree, pass the solicitors exams, gain a lot of practical experience and get my foot in the door at a firm from a young age. All of this felt like a no-brainer to me and fitted in with my aspirations.

I applied to a few firms and I was lucky enough to come across BCLP. The firm and its offerings sounded perfect. After an assessment centre, I was offered the role to start in October 2017. Since then, I have never looked back.

Can you tell us about your apprenticeship experience?

I started at the firm working in the post-completion team, dealing with Land Registry applications of all shapes and sizes. This was my first taste of the legal profession, and it kick-started my aspirations to become a real estate lawyer. I loved working in the Land Registry team. I found it fascinating to say I had played a small part in something for a skyscraper in London, or a major supermarket. From there, I moved on to the legal administration team and then one of our client teams.

I then moved into our structured finance team where I was working for a big US investment bank. The demands in this team were high, both internally and from the client. I learned a lot from being in this team, especially how to become more resilient. Next, I moved back to Real Estate, this time in our core asset management team, where I stayed for my first seat in September 2022 as part of my training contract. I really enjoyed this team and worked on challenging matters and got involved with some great clients.

I was seconded to Heathrow Airport for my next seat in February 2023, which meant I moved down to London for 6 months. This has been one of my favourite experiences to date and I worked on some interesting deals. The office for the legal team was right next to one of the runways, which was very cool. I still keep in touch with my contacts at Heathrow today and hope to work with them again in the future!

In September 2023, I came back to BCLP and sat in our Office of General Counsel team. I took SQE1 in this seat which I passed in January 2024, having completed the prep course with BPP, so had some time off to sit those exams.

In March 2024, I rotated back into real estate, based in a client team. I then sat SQE2 in April and May. Once I came back from those exams, I was given the chance to move into our real estate disputes team.

I found out I passed SQE2 in August 2024. I knew I wanted to qualify into real estate in our core asset management team. Luckily, there was a spot for a newly qualified lawyer in the team and I was absolutely delighted to be offered the role. I qualified as solicitor on 3 February 2025, and am now an associate in our Real Estate team, based in Manchester.

Tell us a bit more about how, being a part-time student, you managed to fit your studies with BPP around your work.

I had an allocated study day, and the programme was entirely online. I found the study day to be vital, as it meant I could attend the live online lectures without worrying too much about work. It also allowed me to complete all of the pre-work for the lecture, and consolidation work afterwards, in good time. Additionally, I did extra work at the weekends to make sure I was on top of everything.

I enjoyed my studies with BPP. I did a different topic each term, sometimes two topics each term. I found the courses to be engaging and well taught.

What are the benefits (and challenges!) of studying while working?

One of the main benefits is being able to apply what you have learned in practice to your studies, and vice versa. For example, when my property topics came up on my university course, I was eager to learn more about it as it was my current area of practice. I found I was able to apply some of the work and knowledge I already had to help answer assessment questions. I was also able to apply what I learned at BPP to my work. Another benefit was that I didn’t get into any student debt, as the firm covered the costs of my education as part of the apprenticeship.

In terms of challenges, I found it difficult at first to get into the groove of online lectures and not going to a lecture hall or classroom. However, over time I got used to it and enjoyed it in the end.

What advice would you give current apprentices on balancing your studies with work?

My advice would be to utilise the study day as best you can. I made sure I was up and about on my study day, finishing off pre-lecture work, attending live lectures and completing consolidation. It was almost like an actual working day, just that I was learning and not working.

I was quite strict with my study days during my apprenticeship. I rarely logged on to work or checked emails, as my study day was where I could focus hard on my learning.

Another tip would be to use your spare time wisely. I made sure I did some extra studies at the weekends, just so I was prepared for the week ahead. Just a few hours on a Saturday or a Sunday, sometimes both if an exam was coming up, but that extra work really went a long way and helped secure my understanding of topics and prepared me for lectures and exams.

You have successfully passed SQE 1 and 2! What is the secret to your success?

From my experience, time is the big concern when sitting SQE. If you can make the most of your time, both before and during the exam, you will be in a good place.

I started my revision five months before I sat SQE1. This gave me a good amount of time to prepare.

Making sure you attempt practice questions in timed conditions will be a massive help. I was nervous I would run out of time in the SQE1 exams as I was taking longer than the recommended time to answer questions. But by the time SQE1 came around, I found that because I had honed my exam technique quite well, I even had time left to check through my answers.

I found SQE2 to be more about focusing your knowledge into a skills-based framework, and applying what you know to the facts presented to you. The mock questions from BPP were very helpful. I found attempting them myself with access to my notes first helped to build my confidence. I then took away the notes and sat the mock papers in exam conditions, so I had experience of the time constraints in the actual exams for SQE 2.

The ‘Discussion of Assessment’ documents for the SQE 2 sample papers are also very helpful when it comes to understanding what the assessor is looking for in terms of the standard, as well as how best to set out your answers.

I also tried not to be too hard on myself throughout the whole process, and not ‘over-revise’ – if you can call it that. There were some challenging moments in the lead-up to exams, but I made sure to give myself plenty of breaks and down time to spend with my family and friends. Keeping active was a good release, as was finding an easy TV show to dip in and out of to give my mind a bit of a rest.

What support did you receive from BPP while completing the SQE prep course?

I found BPP to be very supportive in providing live teaching, comprehensive materials, MCQ practice, scenario practice for SQE2, and live revision lectures with tutors. The revision lectures were particularly helpful, as they were a couple of hours long for each topic and really focused on the core principles. BPP also ran formative assessments for SQE2 with their tutors, who provided feedback on my performance and areas for improvement, which was very useful. I also knew that the BPP tutors were available should I have any concerns.

All in all, I felt well supported throughout the process.

Join us on the afternoon of Wednesday 19 February for The Legal Cheek Pre-SQE Student Summit — in partnership with BPP University Law School. The summit will take place in both London and Manchester. Apply now.

 

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SQE student Brian Okwaisie discusses balancing revision strategies and why he chose BPP

The introduction of the SQE in 2021 transformed the qualification process for future solicitors in the UK. Its roll-out has been far from smooth, marred by organisational chaos, marking errors and strikingly low pass rates — with only 44% of candidates passing SQE1 this summer.

Many students face the challenge of tackling these rigorous exams while juggling jobs and applying for vacation schemes and training contracts. To learn how to navigate such a demanding schedule, I spoke with Brian Okwaisie, a student enrolled in the SQE 1+2 LLM program at BPP University Law School, about his strategies for successfully passing SQE1 while managing a host of other commitments.

Balancing competing commitments is a common struggle SQE students face while preparing for their exams. Okwaisie opted to take BPP’s SQE 1+2 LLM course online, allowing himself some extra flexibility. “I chose BPP because of their success rate compared to some other SQE providers I looked at,” he tells me. Okwaisie goes on to give me an insight into what his typical week looked like on the SQE1 prep course. “I had around five two-hour online workshops each week. You are expected to turn up to the sessions knowing the content so you can spend the session going through practice questions and asking clarification questions to your tutor,” he says. Okwaisie admits that this made for a challenging weekly timetable: “To be honest, I didn’t have much of a work/life balance. It was very much just working and studying for those three months.”

I am curious to know how BPP supported Okwaisie as he completed the SQE1 prep course. “The support from BPP was really good. I had the option to study my course online which was really good because it allowed me a bit more flexibility,” he responds. He also mentions the support of the tutors at BPP:

“Sometimes when you’re balancing study and work you will get behind on a few tasks but my tutors were very happy to help me catch up and they were always available to answer questions over email,” he tells me.

BPP tutors also play a role in helping students manage their time to prevent themselves falling behind. “I was given a personal tutor who could help me manage my time and create a plan for balancing work and studying,” Okwaisie says. “I was able to go and see my tutor and discuss my progress and my wider career goals.”

Okwaisie shared some of his top tips for staying sane while coping with a challenging workload. “What really helped was making lists when I felt overwhelmed. This helped me break down my work into manageable chunks and be practical instead of panicking,” he says. “I had a detailed timetable to make sure I knew what I needed to do.”

I am curious to know about the revision strategies that helped Okwaisie pass SQE1. “My first tip would be to start early,” he says. “I was revising the content little and often from the start of the course.” He also recommends identifying your weaker topics and targeting your revision accordingly. “I had existing knowledge of some of the SQE topics from my undergraduate law degree, but I needed to refresh my knowledge on subjects like land law which I hadn’t studied since my second year. I identified topics like these which I would need to work harder on. I blocked out time in the week to go over these topics, for me it was on a Sunday.”

Okwaisie adapted his approach as the exam drew nearer. “When the SQE course finished in December, I focused on doing practice questions, making a Word document of the questions I got wrong along with a note of the underlying law.” Again, starting this process early was key. “By the time it got to January, I had a 20 or 30-page document for each FLK (Functioning Legal Knowledge paper) which covered the topics I was weaker on. I tried to go through these every day.”

All this hard work paid off and Okwaisie passed the SQE1. I ask about how the SQE experience differed from that of his undergraduate law degree. “Because I was studying my undergrad during the pandemic, I actually didn’t have any in-person exams. Instead, we had 24-hour open book exams,” Okwaisie explains, raising the fact that the SQE may prove particularly challenging for this current generation of ‘Covid graduates’. “During the SQE, you’re in that hall by yourself with no notes,” Okwaisie says. “I had to approach my preparation differently and focus on memorising the content as well as understanding it.”

Okwaisie is currently waiting for the results of his SQE2 exam which he sat a few weeks ago. Looking to the future, he tells me about the careers support BPP offers in addition to the SQE prep course. “There’s the BPP futures website which has a jobs board,” he says. “You can also send applications over to the careers service who will review them for you. I am finding this very helpful as I’m hoping to qualify as a solicitor at a commercial firm.”

Brian Okwaisie will be speaking at ‘Why is the SQE so hard to pass? — with BPP University Law School’, a virtual student event taking place TOMORROW (Tuesday 26 November). Apply now to attend.

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As a major law firm overhauls its SQE partnership, Legal Cheek assesses the battle for law school dominance

Just over three years ago, the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) made its debut, transforming the path to becoming a solicitor and reshaping the legal training landscape in England and Wales.

While the regulator continues to tackle challenges with its delivery — ranging from painfully slow booking processes and tech issues to marking blunders — law schools are fighting their own battle for a share of the prep market.

There was a notable scuffle last week, as The College of Legal Practice (CoLP) out-wrestled fellow new entrant to the SQE market, Barbri, to win an exclusive deal to train global law firm Reed Smith‘s future London trainees. Previously CoLP and Barbri had shared the training responsibilities for the firm, having nabbed the contract four years ago from BPP University Law School. BPP, alongside The University of Law (ULaw), represent the legal education establishment, and despite an increase in competition — and the loss of the odd firm like Reed Smith — they continue to dominate the future lawyer training market.

Law firm partnerships are important in this respect. Around 2,500 students are trained up this way each year. Although that represents only about 30% of the approximately 9,000 students doing the SQE and legacy LPC courses annually, the indirect benefits of being associated with top law firms have a much wider effect in attracting self-funded students.

BPP probably just edges ULaw here, with both having carried over most of their deals from the LPC to the SQE. Indeed BPP’s loss of Reed Smith, which offers a significant but not massive 26 training contracts each year in London, was something of an aberration. Importantly, BPP retained its crown jewel deal with the ‘City Consortium‘, a group of six elite City law firms. The group — comprising Freshfields, Herbert Smith Freehills, Hogan Lovells, Linklaters, Norton Rose Fulbright, and Slaughter and May — recruits over 400 trainees annually, with BPP exclusively responsible for preparing them to sit the SQE.

BPP also has long list of standalone firm partnerships with a raft of other leading law firms such as Addleshaw Goddard, Dentons, DWF, Osborne Clarke and Travers Smith.

ULaw isn’t far behind. The biggest name on its roster is Magic Circle giant Clifford Chance, that recruits around 100 trainees annually. This partnership has been in place since the summer of 2021. It also has pairings with many other leading law firms, including Silver Circle member Ashurst, City firms Charles Russell Speechlys, RPC, Taylor Wessing, and Trowers & Hamlins, as well as US firms Akin, Milbank and White & Case.

ULaw has a second string to its bow in the firm of university collaborations, an important new source of business for SQE providers. It has secured agreements to deliver its SQE courses via mini campuses at universities such as Exeter, Liverpool, Reading, Royal Holloway, Newcastle, Southampton and UEA.

And then come Barbri and CoLP. The SRA’s website lists over 130 “training providers” but currently these are the only two among the upstarts that can be classed as major players, having gained significant ground in the UK training market since the introduction of the SQE.

US-based Barbri is the much bigger of the two, providing the training for many of America’s state bar exams. Drawing on its expertise in preparing aspiring US lawyers for the bar exam, which has a similar multiple-choice structure to the SQE, Barbri is well positioned to have a run at the England & Wales market.

Unlike BPP and ULaw, which offer both in-person and online options, Barbri offers exclusively web-based teaching. This model means it can slightly undercut BPP and ULaw on price. The US company’s UK arm has secured partnerships with a number of prominent law firms, including Brabners, Baker McKenzie, Orrick and Vinson & Elkins, as well as BCLP (in a shared deal with BPP).

Outside of corporate law, Barbri also supports many aspiring solicitors aiming to qualify in the social welfare sector. This is made possible through its partnership with the Social Welfare Solicitors Qualification Fund (SWSQF), a fund supported by leading law firms that covers the preparation course fees and exam costs for students who would otherwise be unable to afford them.

Barbri has also established partnerships with universities including London South Bank, De Montfort University, and Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), as well as training providers like the on-demand paralegal service Flex Legal and apprenticeship specialist Damar Training.

CoLP, an offshoot of The College of Law Australia and New Zealand, has been following a similar strategy. So far it seems to be attempting to differentiate itself on price, with course fees lower than other larger providers. It has attracted partnerships with the aforementioned Reed Smith, as well as mid-sized regional outfits like Browne Jacobson, Capsticks, Clarke Willmott and Wright Hassall.

CoLP, too, has formed multiple partnerships with universities to deliver its SQE preparation courses and supporting modules on campus. These universities include Keele, Southampton Solent, Manchester Met and Middlesex Uni.

Other providers to watch include the likes of QLTS School and Law Training Centre, as well as the SQE arms of established universities offering vocational courses, such as City Law School, Nottingham Law School, Coventry Law School and De Montfort University.

How the battle of the law schools shakes out is a tough one to call. Law firm partnerships will surely always play a part, bringing future trainees in bulk as well as prestige, while the convenience of the law school tie-up model could lure ever more aspiring lawyers. But ultimately, it could come down to pass rates.

As part of the switch from the LPC to the SQE, the SRA pledged to publish student success rates broken down per provider. Slightly oddly, this hasn’t happened yet. When (or should that be ‘If’?) it does, a new front in this battle will open that could transform all that has come before.

BPP’s Head of Outreach joins law students and trainees to discuss all-things QWE

Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) is a key component of the new SQE regime, providing students with significantly more flexibility in how they qualify as a solicitor.

With that in mind, during a recent Legal Cheek virtual event (full video above), a panel session led by Jonny Hurst, BPP’s Head of Outreach and former City law firm partner, delved into all aspects of QWE.

The informative discussion covered a range of topics, including building a QWE portfolio at multiple employers, graduate solicitor apprenticeships, and getting sponsored for a two-year QWE training contract at a single employer.

Hurst was joined by current and former BPP students Kelechi Angel Nwichi-Holdsworth (graduate solicitor apprentice at The Limehouse Project), Chloe Hayes (undertaking QWE in BPP’s Social Impact Team) and Henry Davine (trainee solicitor at Accutrainee). Together they shared their experiences of gaining QWE and offered advice to students on how to qualify using the QWE pathways.

Additionally, the event closed with a virtual networking session with the BPP University Law School team, who answered attendees’ follow-up questions and provided further careers advice.

Legal Cheek is running ‘The SQE series’ with BPP University Law School. The video of each session will be made available one month after each virtual event together with further FAQs arising from each session which SQE experts from BPP are answering.

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Chloe Hayes, a trainee solicitor in BPP’s Social Impact Team, discusses her pioneering QWE route to becoming a solicitor

“I’m originally from South Africa and began my law degree there. After about three months, I realised I wanted to move countries, so I started again at Durham University, pursuing an LLB,” explains Chloe Hayes. Having successfully completed the SQE1 and SQE2 exams last year, she is now three and a half months into her role as a trainee solicitor at the housing clinic in BPP’s Social Impact Team—and loving it.

“Two months in, my supervisor told me we had a case in the county court and that I should represent the client — submissions, cross-examinations, the works,” she tells Legal Cheek Careers. She enjoys this fast-paced, hit-the-ground-running aspect of the clinic. “There is so much demand for our work, representing clients from lower socio-economic backgrounds who would otherwise be unable to access justice. Being thrown into the deep end has its advantages,” Hayes says. She notes that her supervising solicitor is incredibly supportive, but having to handle things independently after the initial guidance has been instrumental in demystifying the court process. “It’s not as scary as I once thought, and I now love litigation!” she says.

Hayes is one of five BPP alumni who are employed each year in paid six-month QWE placements in the university’s Social Impact Team. Recounting how she came to spend time in the housing clinic, Hayes explains that she initially volunteered at BPP’s Legal Advice Clinic while studying for the SQE, always being drawn to social welfare law and closing the access to justice gap that so many people, but especially women, face. Her current work perfectly complements these aspirations. “We only advise tenants, usually against councils — never landlords. Our clients are usually from low socio-economic backgrounds, who do not qualify for legal aid mostly due to government cuts so they come to us to close that gap, and our services are completely free,” explains Hayes. In addition to the housing clinic, there are also a family clinic, an enterprise clinic, a consumer clinic, and a welfare clinic.

“As for a typical day, it varies a lot,” Hayes tells us. A client interview, followed by research on the issue and sending out an advice letter, are typical tasks. She also assists clients in litigation, sometimes representing them before the county court and tribunals. “This involves a lot of statements of case, submissions, replies, witness statements, and evidence collection—it’s brilliant experience,” she notes enthusiastically.

Hayes also flags a pro bono project called Streetlaw, where BPP’s trainee lawyers visit schools, women’s refuge centres, homeless shelters, and many other community groups to educate on certain aspects of the law. They also visit prisons to educate prison communities on matters such as probation and how a criminal record might legally affect their lives after prison. . “Just last week, we did a ‘Goldilocks session’ with a class of 10-year-olds, teaching them about the criminal justice system by putting Goldilocks on trial for burglary and criminal damage — it was fabulous,” she recounts, smiling.

We then asked Hayes what the most rewarding aspect of her time in the housing clinic has been so far. “Representing a client for the first time in the county court, definitely.  Naturally, it’s very daunting, but the judge was so nice, and you realise that it’s not about having a fight. Rather, the end goal is to find an equitable solution while still advocating for your client’s needs,” Hayes points out.

On the flip side, the most challenging aspect of her time at the clinic has been time management. “The clinic is so oversubscribed because there are so many people who need the help we offer. Initially, I tried to do as much work as possible, and it took me a  few weeks to figure out how to communicate well with my supervisor.   At first, I struggled to let him know when I was snowed under. But once I communicated that, he was very understanding and worked with me to plan out upcoming deadlines,” she says. Hayes notes that as trainees, there is often an eagerness to please supervisors by taking everything on, but stepping back and communicating when you’re overwhelmed is crucial and very normal.

Having figured out how communication and time management go hand-in-hand, what’s been Hayes’ biggest takeaway from the clinic during her first three months? “This is going to sound so cheesy,” she cautions, laughing, “but it’s that I’ve realised that I was born to do this job!” She explains that a key worry she had was starting to train as a solicitor and realising that the role wasn’t quite what she expected or enjoyed, after having invested significant amounts of time, money and effort into completing a degree and the SQE. “Luckily for me, that hasn’t been the case. Even on the bad days, I really do feel that I love this job,” she says.

Hayes is now just over halfway through her six-month period of Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) in BPP’s Social Impact Team. Under the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) regime, aspiring lawyers are able to qualify by accruing two years’ worth of QWE in up to four different organisations. This introduces greater flexibility into the qualification process by opening up additional avenues alongside the traditional training contract route. Hayes plans to seek further opportunities in a range of practice areas following completion of her QWE in the housing clinic, to stay on track to qualify in 2026.

To finish up our conversation, Hayes offers some practical tips to stay on top of recording QWE. “Keep a weekly record of what you do – you’ll need two years’ worth of records when you apply to be admitted to the roll of solicitors. Even on a weekly basis it can sometimes be difficult to remember every task you’ve worked on if you haven’t actually written it down, and you will be working on a lot– so really make sure you’re diligent about recording, because if not, you’d be shooting yourself in the foot when it comes to getting the QWE signed off at the end of the two-year period,” she advises.

Chloe Hayes will be speaking at ‘How to get Qualifying Work Experience — with BPP University Law School’, a virtual student event taking place this Thursday (11 July). Apply now to attend.

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‘Deeply honoured’, says Amy Marren

A solicitor apprentice has been awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours 2024 for her contribution to further education and apprenticeships.

Amy Marren, a final year solicitor apprentice at BPP and former GB Paralympian, has been made a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.

After taking a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Paralympics in the 200m individual medley, Marren made the switch to law, taking up a solicitor apprenticeship with BPP’s legal team.

Noted in her citation as “a tireless promoter of the opportunities apprenticeships offer”, Marren has established and run the first Legal Apprentice Society, served as a panel member for the Institute of Apprenticeships and Technical Education under the Department of Education, and is an Apprentice Ambassador for the London Apprenticeship Ambassador Network.

“I am deeply honoured to receive this MBE,” she said.

“It has been incredibly rewarding to see the growth of the Legal Apprentice Society and to be part of initiatives that support apprentices across the country”, she continued. “I am grateful for the support from BPP and my colleagues, and I look forward to continuing our work to enhance and expand apprenticeship opportunities.”

Alongside her Rio success, Marren also took home a host of medals three years earlier at the 2013 IPC Swimming World Championships.

Want to find our more about solicitor apprenticeship opportunities? Check out The Legal Cheek Solicitor Apprenticeship Most List 2024, your go-to guide on everything from pay and locations to number of places and training structure.

BPP’s Head of Outreach joins future trainees to discuss the key considerations when selecting a prep course

With so many options available, choosing the right Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) course can feel overwhelming for aspiring lawyers.

During a recent Legal Cheek virtual event (full video embedded above), Jonny Hurst, BPP’s Head of Outreach and former partner at a City law firm, teamed up with SQE1 Award Leader Julie Harris to discuss key factors to consider when making this crucial decision, including costs, pass rates, reputation and content.

They were joined by future trainees from two City firms and a current trainee from BPP’s Social Impact Team, who shared their experiences of preparing for the exams and offered advice to those considering this route to qualification as solicitors.

Legal Cheek is running ‘The SQE series’ with BPP University Law School. The video of each session will be made available one month after each virtual event together with further FAQs arising from each session which SQE experts from BPP are answering.

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BPP student Ifeoluwa Aderibigbe shares her experience and why legal work can be the key to success

“The Solicitors Qualifying Exams (SQE) have been interesting,” says Ifeoluwa Aderibigbe, current SQE 1&2 LLM student at BPP University Law School. “I’ve never had to do anything like this before, because all of my exams on my law degree were essay-based. So, it’s taken me some time to get used to the multiple-choice question (MCQ) style.” With this interview coming straight off the back of Aderibigbe finishing her SQE2 exams, Legal Cheek Careers is keen to find out more about her experience so far.

“Even though I’ve done work in a legal clinic, I had never engaged with legal drafting and legal research prior to starting SQE2 preparation, so it has come as somewhat of a challenge,” notes Aderibigbe. “But overall, I’ve found the experience really beneficial because it has taught me so many of the skills that I’ve needed for my work at BPP’s Legal Clinic.”  By working for BPP’s Social Impact team, Aderibigbe is building up her Qualifying Work Experience (QWE). This means that by the time she finishes her six-month placement with BPP, she will have completed 25% of her QWE if she decides to qualify via the QWE portfolio route.

However, she still hopes to secure a two-year traditional training contract at a single employer. “My SQE experience has been really fundamental in helping me to build the skills that I use day-to-day working on cases at the clinic, but also to help build those skills that I’ll need when I ultimately become a qualified solicitor,” she explains.

Talking on why she chose BPP as a provider, she tells us that it’s undeniable that the pass rate influenced her choice. “It’s significantly higher than the national average at BPP, so I wanted to ensure that I was choosing a provider which would give me the best chance of success,” she explains. “And, I have to say that I have no regrets choosing BPP as a provider for the SQE. We’re provided with revision notes and videos which help you to navigate the knowledge that you need to bring over from a law degree,” she says.

“And aside from this, the structure of teaching at BPP is very good,” she continues. “Before each class, we’re all given a ‘prepare task’, and during the session we’re given an ‘apply task’, which really helped me personally to cement my knowledge.”

So, she says, even during SQE1 preparation, students already have an idea of the types of skills they’ll need for SQE2 — given that most of the knowledge tested is ‘applied’ within the classroom. “The tasks that we’re given throughout, whether these are the tasks during each session or the practice exams, all really resonated with the actual formulation of the exams, so in my opinion BPP’s SQE prep course can’t be faulted,” she explains.

After announcing last year that BPP was taking on five ‘qualifying work experience’ trainees to work within its pro bono clinic, Aderibigbe found herself as one of the law school’s first student recruits. We probed her on the kind of work she’s been undertaking. “I had some previous experience in BPP’s Legal Advice Clinic, so I wanted to explore my legal journey with the Social Impact team,” she explains. “But since I’ve started, I advise on civil litigation matters which really relate to what I’ll be doing in practice. I meet with clients and conduct client interviews with a solicitor supervisor, and afterwards I send letters of advice out to each client on their case,” she says. “So, it helps me both to revise all of the knowledge I’ve learned throughout my undergraduate degree and the SQE exams, but also to put this knowledge into practice.”

Although she’s still planning on going down the traditional training contract route rather than building her QWE across multiple organisations, this experience is guaranteed to help her stand out from the TC-hunting crowd. “Interviewing clients is something which I’ve always wanted to do. I really enjoy the aspect of seeing a case through from start to finish, and I find it so rewarding to be able build my confidence and experience,” she says. Working with a lot of qualified solicitors, she tells us that it’s also been incredible exposure to legal practice.

Noting how much this experience helped her in the SQE2 exams, she says:

 “I would advise anyone taking SQE2 to gain work experience before they take the exam. It really helps. When I walked into the client interviewing assessment on the SQE2 exam, it felt so natural because this is something that I do every day at work!”

Aderibigbe will be speaking at Legal Cheek’s event, “SQE courses: everything you need to know”, which is just around the corner, on 6 June. With this in mind, we quiz her on her general advice for SQE students. “The first tip I would give is to make the decision not to self-study. Self-study for the SQE is not going to take you as far as with a provider. There are some things my tutors taught me in class which are not in the materials, yet still became fundamental to my success on the exams,” she explains. “Aside from this, as I mentioned previously, work experience really is key to the SQE2 exams. And, finally, although practice exams are key, try not to focus solely on MCQ prep. Broadening your knowledge so that it’s applicable widely to many types of questions prevents students from the path-dependency that comes with over-reliance on previous practice exam answers.”

On a final note, she urges SQE students to prepare for all eventualities. “The SQE exams can surprise you. Choosing to study in a way which is new or unfamiliar to you may be the key to success. Expect the unexpected”.

Ifeoluwa Aderibigbe will be speaking at ‘SQE courses: everything you need to know — with BPP University Law School’, a virtual student event taking place on Thursday 6 June. Apply now to attend.

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Legal Cheek’s annual conference gathered together key figures from across the profession to discuss skills gaps, innovations, apprenticeships, SQE and more

LegalEdCon 2024 returned to Kings Place in London yesterday with a host of talks exploring the hottest topics in legal education and training.

On the day of the conference, nearly 300 delegates gathered to hear the latest industry insights from leading experts in the legal field. This year’s conference featured sessions on a variety of topics, including the latest developments in the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) regime, innovations in solicitor training, addressing skills gaps, solicitor and graduate apprenticeships, and AI.

The keynote session this year focused on law influencers (dubbed ‘lawfluencers’) and offered attendees unique insights into the growing social media landscape in law. The session was delivered by a group of speakers with different perspectives on approaching working in the law whilst maintaining an online presence, including discussions on their experiences of the SQE and the skills that junior lawyers often lack.

Session 1: Skills and knowledge gaps: where are trainees and junior lawyers strong, and what do they need to improve?

The speakers:

• Jim Moser, Director of Professional Development at The University of Law
• Peter Arnold, Head of Talent at CMS
• Kirsty Wilkins, Head of Professional Development at Willkie Farr & Gallagher
• Emma Lilley, Head of Legal UK&I at SD Worx and Founder of ‘In-house Potter’

In the first session ULaw’s Jim Moser, Director of Professional Development, kicked off LegalEdCon 2024 with a session focusing on the skills and knowledge gaps in trainees and junior lawyers. The speakers candidly spoke on how law students can overcome setbacks and develop into successful, competent, and well-rounded lawyers. As the speakers explained, filling these gaps allows juniors lawyers to hit the ground running in their legal careers.

Peter Arnold, Head of Talent at CMS, spoke about future-proofing legal talent to ensure emerging juniors develop into well-rounded lawyers. He focused on what future lawyers need in the modern day, and how talent teams can focus on developing their juniors to fulfil the needs of law firms. He explained that the key characteristics and skills they need to develop are strong legal knowledge, tech-savviness, and a growth mindset. He noted that learning doesn’t stop at law school, when student are undertaking their qualifying studies or even when they become a newly-qualified lawyer; a “continual growth mindset” is key.

Next up, Emma Lilley, Head of Legal UK&I at SD Worx and Founder of ‘In-house Potter’ took to the lectern. She added some “in-house spice” to the conversation to speak on what in-house clients want from junior lawyers. She highlighted the importance of developing ethical standards by encouraging emotional intelligence, noting that leading by example is crucial in supporting individuals to stand up for their beliefs. Lilley also told the audience that communication skills are valuable in the modern, tech-driven, and hybrid workplace, and that in-house teams must be attuned to evolving forms of communication.

Finally, Kirsty Wilkins, Head of Professional Development at Willkie Farr & Gallagher, spoke on the allusive qualities that partners want to see in their juniors. She mentioned that, although tech skills and legal knowledge are essential, partners often prioritise interpersonal qualities. “People sell people,” she noted, emphasising that team spirit is crucial for juniors to develop into well-rounded lawyers.

Session 2: AI corner

The speakers:

• Mike Kochkin, CEO of BeSavvy
• Matthew Leopold, Head of Brand and Insight at LexisNexis
• Samantha Hope, Head of Emerging Talent at Shoosmiths
• Samantha Wong, Events Coordinator at Legal Cheek presenting Aikanah, Legal Cheek’s AI Ambassador

Matthew Leopold, LexisNexis’ Head of Brand and Technology, opened the AI Corner session with an impassioned talk. He explained the incredible changes coming to the legal industry, pronouncing today’s lawyers as the luckiest legal generation so far. Being able to embed knowledge and experience in a changing world gives today’s lawyers the flexibility to approach AI technology in a way which is going to change the landscape of the legal education, he enthused. “Imagine what the opportunities will be when we think holistically about AI in the law”, he noted. Leopold finished up by explaining that  advances in generative AI technology now gives lawyers the opportunity to draft e-mails and legal statements, and summarise research.

Next to take the lectern was Samantha Hope, Head of Emerging Talent at Shoosmiths, who was unable to attend the conference, but gave her talk via a pre-recorded video for the discussion. Talking on generative AI in training contract applications, she explained that one in three Shoosmiths’ applicants appeared to have used AI in their applications. Embracing this tech in legal practice, she explained, will allow lawyers to devote time on developing their wider skillset. So, she urged law firms to keep on top of technological developments and AI trends in order to make the most of the immense potential of gen AI tech. She finished by throwing a question to the audience: “Are you team AI or team ban AI in applications?”

Following this talk, Mike Kochkin, CEO of BeSavvy, spoke about the use of AI for junior lawyers. Using tech developed at his company BeSavvy, he explained how legal training can be simplified and honed through technology. He told the audience that “what took years can now take one day”, when it comes to legal training, through using “AI agents” to provide memory, tools and planning in the legal training process.

The final speaker of this session was Legal Cheek‘s own Samantha Wong, Events Co-ordinator and creator of Aikianah, Legal Cheek‘s AI influencer. She discussed the process of creating the AI ambassador, from Aikanah’s inception to her role as an influencer on Instagram. She discussed the creation process, including the AI prompts she used to produce images of Aikanah. She also divulged the challenges she faced, including the AI technology creating wonky hands, teeth, feet, and the limited extent to which AI can create photo-realistic videos.

Lunch and networking

Session 3: Solicitor apprenticeships: beyond the hype

The speakers:

• Lorna Bailey, Head of Learning and Development at Fletchers Solicitors
• Jane Robson, CEO at the the National Association of Licensed Paralegals
• Lucy Dolan, Early Talent Manager at Gowling WLG UK
• Bethany Taylor, Associate at Eversheds 
• James Catchpole, Associate Professor and Head of Professional Programmes at City, University of London
• Patrick McCann, Legal Practice Chair of City of London Law Society Training Committee

James Catchpole, Associate Professor and Head of Professional Programmes at City, University of London, opened the discussion. He began by touching on the exceptional characteristics of many solicitor apprenticeships and the outstanding results they’re achieving on the SQE. Urging firms to increase intakes of apprentices, he noted that this route isn’t being embraced widely enough, nor diversely enough. He introduced a debate: “Why are firms so slow to embrace this route to qualification?”

For the Q&A session, our speakers answered questions on creating solicitor apprenticeship programmes, the benefits of having apprentices, and the challenges faced by firms implementing them. Lorna Bailey, Head of Learning and Development at Fletchers Solicitors, gave her tips for firms looking to take on apprentices. “Educate the firm about apprenticeships, as well as the wider communities in local schools,” she advised. “And be sure to track the data!”. Patrick McCann, Legal Practice Chair of City of London Law Society Training Committee, reaffirmed his overwhelming support for solicitor apprenticeships and urged more law firms to tap into this talent pool.

Towards the end of the Q&A session, the microphone was passed to Bethany Taylor, Associate at Eversheds, to talk about her experiences as one of the country’s first solicitor apprentices. She took this opportunity to highlight her career journey throughout the six-year scheme, and the benefits she’s experienced along the way.

Session 4: SQE latest developments

The speakers:

• Liz Ritter, BPP Law School (chair)
• George McNeilly, Early Careers Partner at DWF
• Camilla Brignall, Learning & Development Manager at Linklaters
• Kamila Czerwinski, Graduate Solicitor Apprentice at TLT
• Julie Swan, Director of Education and Training at the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)
• Tanya Dolan, Senior Counsel at Astra Zeneca

Chaired by Liz Ritter, Head of Client Development at BPP Law School, the session discussed how the SQE is opening up new pathways in the profession and highlighted some of the challenges in its administration.

Taking the form of a Q&A, the first question enabled the speakers to explore how their respective firms and organisations are embracing the SQE. Camilla Brignall, Learning & Development Manager at Linklaters, discussed how the Magic Circle firm has embedded the SQE into its training models, including solicitor apprenticeships and the traditional training contract route. She was followed in quick succession by George McNeilly, Early Careers Partner at DWF, discussing the routes to qualification his firm, and finally by Tanya Dolan, Senior Counsel at Astra Zeneca, discussing qualification opportunities at the Big Pharma corporation.

The speakers also discussed how they had adapted their existing training models to meet the developments in the SQE space, the various study options available to candidates, and the advantages of taking on SQE2 after some Qualifying Work Experience (QWE). This led the speakers onto a discussion focusing on the graduate solicitor apprenticeship model.

Kamila Czerwinski, Graduate Solicitor Apprentice at TLT, took to the mic to reflect on juggling SQE studies with his work at the firm. She highlighted the importance of time management, study approaches and effective communication as an apprentice. Taking the audience beyond the ‘stigma’ of apprenticeships, she discussed how firms can shift their understanding and mindset on apprenticeships.

Ritter then directed the discussion towards high exams fees, accessibility and the uncomfortable pass rates among minority ethnic candidates. McNeilly urged firms to take responsibility to address accessibility issues and the disparity in pass rates across ethnicities. To close the session, Ritter directed a question to Julie Swann, Director of Education and Training at the SRA, regarding the recent SQE marking errors, before opening the floor to questions from the audience. Swann responded with remarks such as “desperately disappointing” and assured that “it will not happen again.

Session 5: Innovation in legal education

The speakers:

• Elizabeth Rimmer, Chief Executive of LawCare
• Ellen Swarbrick, Trainee Solicitor at Vinson & Elkins
• Rachel Boyle, Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the Legal Neurodiversity Network
• Pedro Leake-Bandeira, Trainee Solicitor at Accutrainee
• Dr Naila Anwar, Head of Law at University of Huddersfield
• Robert Dudley, Head of Employability & Engagement at BARBRI (Chair)

Chaired by Robert Dudley, head of Employability & Engagement at BARBRI, innovation in legal education was the penultimate session of the day. The free-flowing panel discussion had a focus on technology’s ability to improve training for trainee solicitors, as well as the challenges individuals entering the legal industry are currently facing.

The session kicked off with Elizabeth Rimmer, Chief Executive at LawCare, who discussed LawCare’s two main objectives. The first, to provide support to those working in the sector. And the second, to focus on advocacy and education. Elizabeth also went on to discuss the challenges a virtual working environment can bring, and the importance of focusing on alleviating stress and anxiety.

Ellen Swarbrick, trainee solicitor at Vinson & Elkins, discussed the challenges she faced while working alongside her studies. Swarbrick argued that the flexibility of completing the SQE with Barbri made juggling these conflicting responsibilities easier. Swarbrick also discussed the benefits of completing BARBRI’s Prep for Practice course, arguing that it helped bridge the gap between having a basic understanding to having more focused knowledge when going into practice.

This positive effect of BARBRI’s courses was also highlighted by Pedro Leake-Bandeira, a recent SQE graduate and current trainee solicitor with Accutrainee. BARBRI’s SQE course helped him to understand how to condense his knowledge, while the flexibility of working for Accutrainee meant that he could adapt his working hours during the day – something which he believes significantly helped him juggle his day-to-day responsibilities.

The session went on to consider the experiences of current undergraduate students, with Dr Naila Anwar, Head of law at the University of Huddersfield, focusing on the mental challenges students are currently facing. Anwar discussed the impact Covid-19 continues to have on students — with many students never having sat an exam, it has left students anxious and has resulted in an increase in mental health issues.

Rachel Boyle, founder of the Legal Neurodiversity Network, advocated for the importance of raising awareness and creating a change in attitudes towards neurodiversity in the legal industry. Boyle discusses the network’s events, which have seen discussions surrounding the challenges neurodiverse individuals are facing. Boyle argued the importance of upskilling and having open and honest conversations.

The session wrapped up with an audience Q&A which highlighted the importance of creating a safe space and celebrating successes.

Keynote from lawfluencers

The speakers:

• Megan Hulme, Founder of ‘It’s All Hearsay,’ Associate at Mishcon de Reya
• Omotayo Anifowoshe, ‘The SQE Babe’ legal influencer
• Jay Heer, Future Trainee Solicitor at Simmons & Simmons and Founder of JaysLawLife

The final session of the day started with Omotayo Anifowoshe, founder of ‘The SQE Babe’ on TikTok. Anifowoshe shared her story and the challenges she is facing while self-funding her legal education. Her TikTok account shares useful tips with students following the same path, as well as providing an insight into the unique challenges that self-funding the SQE brings. Anifowoshe argued that while the SQE has its flaws, it does acknowledge that not all individuals have an easy route into the profession.

The second speaker of this session was Jay Heer, a future trainee solicitor at Simmons & Simmons and founder of JaysLawLife. Heer began by sharing his career journey to date. After passing SQE1 in January, Heer completed SQE2 last week and shared his thoughts on the intensity and experience of the exams. While Heer did not find the concept of a new exam daunting, he found that getting answers to SQE-related queries was difficult. He argued that this ultimately creates a fear of the unknown and increased anxiety in students.

The final speaker of LegalEdCon 2024 was Megan Hulme, founder of ‘It’s All Hearsay’ and litigation solicitor. Hulme qualified two years ago and spent her session time discussing the transition from trainee to associate. Hulme argued the importance of forward-thinking, resilience and determination. Hulme also went on to highlight that her progress has increased significantly since qualification, due to the ability to stay with one team and understand the way senior members of the team like work to be completed.

Alex Aldridge, Legal Cheek‘s publisher, brought the conference to a close, thanking the speakers, delegates and headline sponsors BARBRI, BPP University Law School and The University of Law, as well as silver sponsors LexisNexis and The City Law School, and additional sponsors Oxford University Press,  The National Association of Licensed Paralegals, Intellek and The Food Chain.

BPP’s Head of Client Development, Liz Ritter, talks apprenticeships, exam performance and ‘teething problems’ with the new route

“For the last five years, I’ve really been living and breathing SQE,” says Liz Ritter, BPP’s Head of Client Development. Six years after qualifying at Magic Circle law firm Clifford Chance, Ritter made the move into the learning and development space, and has since spent most of her career at BPP and in law firm learning and development. “For me, making this shift was all about having the opportunity to work with individuals; helping them become the best lawyers that they can be and supporting them to develop their own skills in their chosen careers.” Now, her role sees her helping legal employers of all varieties to navigate their way through the SQE system, identifying different pathways and programmes that best suit their business needs.

With the SQE firmly ingrained in her day-to-day, Legal Cheek Careers asks Ritter for her thoughts on its rollout over the past couple of years. “There have clearly been some teething problems. That’s partially since the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and Kaplan have had to scale up so considerably as more students and law firms have transitioned over to the new pathways,” she explains. But it’s not all negative. “At BPP, we meet with the SRA and Kaplan on a fairly regular basis to pass on feedback that we gather from our student body and from the employers we work with,” she says. “These discussions have led to some positive changes, like those recently made to the booking system, which have had a positive impact on the SQE administration.”

But it would be no lie to suggest that these ‘teething problems’ have impacted confidence in the SQE regime, says Ritter, who will be chairing an SQE discussion at the LegalEdCon 2024. “These teething issues have had an impact on confidence in the administration of the SQE, but separately there is also a question of confidence as to whether the SQE in its current format is the best way to determine competence for future lawyers. There are very capable candidates who would make great solicitors but who are struggling in particular with SQE1.”

She continues: “From an employer perspective, one of their key concerns is certainty, and I don’t think we’re there yet. This is really important to employers, given their need to advance plan recruitment and resourcing.”

It seems though, with the release of recent data, that there is one group of qualifiers reaping the rewards of the SQE regime. “I’m a massive champion of the school-leaver solicitor apprenticeship route,” says Ritter, acknowledging the success of apprentices when it comes to the qualifying exams. “I work very closely with many employers who are implementing these apprenticeships, and it’s been absolutely fantastic to see the success of so many apprentices making their way through to qualification.” But why are this group of aspiring lawyers so successful, particularly on the SQE2 assessments? Ritter tells us apprentices “sit the SQE2 exams towards the end of their six-year programme, and the SQE2 is ideally suited for apprentices because they’ve already built five or six years of practical, on the job experience.”

Since the implementation of the SQE regime, the school-leaver apprenticeship route is just one of the various pathways available for qualification with BPP. “This is one of the real advantages of the introduction of the SQE: it enables multiple routes to qualification. I don’t think you can say one is better than the other because different pathways suit different individuals and different employers,” Ritters says. Many law firms have opted to ‘frontload’ SQE preparation before the beginning of training contracts because they value the certainty that this brings, Ritter explains.

“Frontloading the SQE has also enabled law schools to offer programmes that help future lawyers develop wider knowledge and skills which align more closely with the type of work they’ll be doing when they hit the ground as a trainee. It makes these SQE candidates more practice ready.” She continues: “For example, our very popular master’s programme goes well beyond the SQE curriculum, with different pathways according to the type of organisation that they want to work in (general practice, commercial or corporate), together with an awareness of the impact of ESG, legal tech and AI on the practice of law.”

Equally, the graduate apprenticeship model is particularly attractive to aspiring lawyers and employers, according to Ritter. “What’s exciting is the range of different organisations that have chosen to adopt the graduate solicitor apprenticeship and that previously might not have been able to support or sponsor aspiring solicitors in the same way,” she tells us. “We’re working with law centres and charities, law firms of all sizes, in-house legal teams, local authorities, police authorities and public bodies like the Government Legal Department. These diverse types of organisations provide new and varied opportunities, so that’s hugely attractive.”

With numerous qualification pathways emerging since the introduction of the SQE, we ask Ritter how BPP is uniquely preparing its students for success. “Most of our students are on modes of study that benefit from regular, live teaching from tutors who are experts in their fields, with access to our high-quality resources and MCQ practice questions, all supported by AI driven educational technology platforms to help students to success,” she says. “Our programmes also focus at every stage on development of practice-ready skills, using realistic case studies and incorporating trainee-type tasks as part of their learning.” In BPP’s latest results, 79% of first-time test-takers passed SQE1 in January 2024 across all cohorts, based on the verified results of over 75% of BPP’s students. “Ultimately,” says Ritter, “we’re preparing students for success in the assessments, but we’re also preparing them for success in their future careers.”

Liz Ritter will be chairing a session on the developments to the SQE at LegalEdCon 2024, Legal Cheek’s annual future of legal education and training conference, which takes place in-person on Thursday 16 May at Kings Place, London. Final release tickets for the Conference can be purchased here.

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BPP’s Head of Outreach joins SQE Award Leaders and future trainees to discuss part one of the solicitors’ assessment

The Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) is now just over three years old, and multiple cohorts have already completed both the SQE1 and SQE2 assessments.

During a recent Legal Cheek virtual event (full video above), a panel session led by BPP’s Head of Outreach and former City law firm partner Jonny Hurst, along with SQE Award Leaders Allison Banks (responsible for City Consortium Plus Programme and Essentials for Practice) and Ayesha Anandappa (overseeing LPC Firm Specific and Essentials for Practice), delved into all aspects of SQE1.

The informative discussion covered a range of topics, including the format, booking process, content, and assessments for SQE1. Additionally, it featured an interactive analysis of sample questions aimed at helping aspiring lawyers understand what to expect.

The panel also included current SQE students from BPP who have recently passed SQE1, such as Mikaela Hristova, a future trainee at Stephenson Harwood, and Christian Stocker, a future trainee at Walker Morris. Together, they shared insights into their course experiences and offered advice to those considering the SQE route.

Legal Cheek is running ‘The SQE series’ with BPP University Law School. The video of each session will be made available one month after each virtual event together with further FAQs arising from each session which SQE experts from BPP are answering.

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BPP’s Head of Outreach joins future trainees for an in-depth look at part two of the centralised assessment

Now well into its third year, the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) has seen multiple cohorts complete both SQE1 and SQE2 exams. Yet, for aspiring solicitors, these assessments continue to present a daunting prospect.

During a recent Legal Cheek virtual event (full video embedded above), Jonny Hurst, BPP’s Head of Outreach and former partner at a City law firm, teamed up with Laura Bains, BPP’s SQE2 Award Leader, to delve into part two of the centralised assessment.

They were joined by students who are going through the process themselves, including Madelaine Moss, current SQE student and future trainee at Addleshaw Goddard, Jasmine Sayany, future trainee at Watson Farley & Williams, and Daria Slavnova, who is currently studying the SQE LLM with BPP.

The panel shared their experiences, insights gained, and lessons learned, while also offering a comprehensive overview of SQE2 content, format, booking process, and pass rates. Additionally, the event featured an interactive analysis of a sample SQE2 question and a discussion on strategies for maximising success in these challenging assessments.

Legal Cheek is running ‘The SQE series’ with BPP University Law School. The video of each session will be made available one month after each virtual event together with further FAQs arising from each session which SQE experts from BPP are answering.

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Mikaela Hristova, future trainee solicitor at Stephenson Harwood and current BPP SQE student, discusses her exam experience

Mikaela Hristova, a future trainee solicitor at Stephenson Harwood, recently completed and passed SQE1 in January. Recounting her post-exam worries, she tells me, “for FLK 2, I was convinced that I’d failed, but I ended up being in the top quintile. It just goes to show, you never know!”

Like many SQE1 candidates, Hristova felt very anxious going into her SQE LLM course at BPP. “The main issue is the uncertainty, just because the SQE is such a new process of qualifying. The information that is out there is, I would say, more negative than it is positive,” she says. Even towards the end, Hristova did not feel better about her prospects. “I was hearing about all these amazing and exceptional students going to top firms who were failing SQE1. I felt that no matter how much work I put into it, there was a 50-50 chance that I would fail, which is a huge gamble.”

It is safe to say Hristova worked hard regardless. When discussing her study technique, she explains that she developed a study system based on her visual learning style. “I was doing a lot of mind maps with a mixture of things.” She recalls taking screenshots of diagrams and flow charts from the resources provided by BPP, then annotating them in mind maps.

She also used flash cards to revise the multiple-choice questions (MCQs) she had answered incorrectly in practice papers. In the final month leading up to the exams, Hristova copied her study notes onto sticky notes, which she then stuck onto her fridge. “Every morning I would spend maybe one or two hours going through every single thing,” she says. “Even the legal rules that I knew and was quite comfortable with, I would really make sure I knew them.”

However, Hristova stresses the importance of being strategic with your learning when it comes to SQE1. “The thing with it is that it’s a very holistic exam. Sometimes it’s about breadth, not depth,” she explains. “Get the general principles, ask the questions in class and all that, but move on afterwards because we just need to be very strategic with how much there is that can come up in the exams.”

While Hristova happily divulges her study methods, she also notes that they may not work for everyone. In her study group, she saw that her peers all had very different approaches. Seeing that some of her classmates were solely doing practice questions in the final month, Hristova at times felt that she was adopting the wrong tactics. “I was putting so much pressure on myself that I started doing MCQs for a whole week, but in the end, I knew that it wasn’t working for me,” she explains. Now, she believes that students should feel less guilty about taking more time to understand the material, because what really matters is just knowing and understanding the law. “If flash cards work better, then just do flashcards. If MCQs work better, just do MCQs.”

I assumed that Hristova would find the SQE’s biggest challenge to be the volume of information that candidates are expected to learn and retain, but that was not the case. “The hardest part for me was actually just going in with the idea that there was a possibility that I might fail regardless of how much work I had done.” It’s no surprise then, that her tutor’s advice to think and stay positive was instrumental throughout her SQE1 preparations. Reflecting on the importance of mental health support during this period, Hristova remarks, “I was very lucky to have a tutor at BPP who would always make the time to speak to me after class and address my concerns”.

When I ask Hristova for her advice for future SQE1 candidates, Hristova offers these words of hope and encouragement: “Don’t focus too much on the negative news out there. Even though there is a lot of uncertainty, hard work actually equals very good results in the end.”

It’s clear that a strong mindset has been crucial to Hristova’s success, whether with exams or with securing a training contract. She explains that she met the firm at law fairs on multiple occasions, building connections and strengthening her resolve to secure a vacation scheme with them. “Getting a training contract is about persistence, so it’s important to stay at it and taking advantage of as many experiences as you can get”, advises Hristova.

In this vein, she notes the importance of “getting yourself out there and speaking to people” as the key to securing legal opportunities. “I attended so many Legal Cheek events. I reached out to a lot of people on LinkedIn. I asked a lot of people about their experience with applications, and I was quite surprised to find that there are actually so many trainees and future trainees who are willing to help.”

As we approach the end of our conversation, Hristova explains that she stood out in her applications by showing how her personality and career aspirations matched the firm she was applying to. “This will sound like such a cliché but it’s just about being yourself – not being afraid to talk about your experiences and how they shaped you as an aspiring lawyer.”

Mikaela Hristova will be speaking at “A deep dive into SQE1 – with BPP University Law School” a virtual student event taking place this Thursday (11 April). Apply now to attend.

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Madelaine Moss, future trainee solicitor at Addleshaw Goddard and current BPP SQE student, discusses her SQE journey

During our conversation, I ask Madelaine Moss, a future trainee solicitor at Addleshaw Goddard, about how she’s found the SQE so far. “Completing the SQE full-time since September has been a lot. From Monday to Friday, 8am to 10pm, I was studying, Saturdays would always be spent working my part-time job, and on Sundays, if I was lucky, I would have a few hours off”.

So, it’s clear the SQE requires a lot of hard work. I was interested to learn how challenging Moss found studying for SQE1 while juggling a part-time job. “I completed the SQE1 exams in January and had to sacrifice time with family and friends during the twelve weeks leading up to the exams. I felt like I was a robot”. Moss goes on to stress that working full-time alongside the SQE would be too much, arguing that she would not have successfully prepared for her SQE1 exams had she attempted to work full-time. With that said, part-time work is manageable and something many of her cohort does, if the position does not require long or regular hours.

But there does appear to be light at the end of the tunnel, with Moss arguing that preparing for SQE2 has been a lot ‘more manageable’ due to the self-study approach used during the SQE2 preparation course at BPP. Moss explains that the practicality of SQE2 does not require processing large volumes of information, making the format less overwhelming – with Moss finding that working part-time has been a lot easier. “I go to the gym now and enjoy going swimming, and have the time to see family and friends, things I couldn’t do while completing SQE1. I feel like I’m back to a level of normality again now”.

Given Moss’s background as a history graduate from the University of Manchester, I was interested to understand how important she believes completing the PGDL is to SQE exam preparation success. “If I hadn’t done the PGDL, I would not have been able to get a basic understanding of the law and be ready to sit the January exams”, Moss notes. This is not surprising: with the SQE’s vast volume of content requiring time-consuming preparation, Moss stresses that the structure the PGDL provided made SQE prep more manageable. “I’m not saying it’s impossible to pass the SQE without completing the PGDL”, she cautions, “but I do think that having a basic level of knowledge already makes it a lot easier”.

Moss went on to discuss what she found most challenging when preparing for her SQE1 exams. “I personally found the volume of information I had to learn the most difficult part; alongside the complete breadth of knowledge the assessments require. On each exam you have five different modules that could come up, and those modules are huge, so it’s been really challenging trying to understand and memorise the law”. Madelaine explains that SQE1 contains 180 MCQs on a wide variety of content — so, a detailed understanding of all the aspects of the law is needed, although that often feels unachievable.

Prior to commencing her SQE studies, Moss worked as a paralegal at two different firms, which she believes is currently aiding her preparation for SQE2, which she will be completing later this year. “Legal writing and legal drafting are the two things I did a lot when I was paralegalling and so I already knew the way they were meant to be written”, she tells me.

Moss goes on to note that having a basic practical understanding is something she would recommend all SQE candidates attempt to gain in some way, due to the knowledge and confidence it has provided her. With that said, she points out that this by no means meant she’s finding preparing for SQE2 easy; just that her prior experience has given her a useful practical foundation.

While it’s clear that SQE2 seems to provide some light at the end of the tunnel, I wanted to know what obstacles Madelaine had faced while preparing for these assessments. “The oral skills necessary are what I find the most challenging. I didn’t do law at university, so I don’t have the practical experience of mooting or doing practice court cases, so I’m finding preparing for the oral exams really difficult”, she tells me.

But this should not deter aspiring solicitors from completing the assessments, with Madelaine pointing out that the exams are supposed to challenge candidates. “If they weren’t hard, everyone would be doing it”, she notes. Madelaine also shares that her cohort and the teaching she has received at BPP has been “really good” and has helped her preparation for these assessments.

As a future trainee solicitor at Addleshaw Goddard, and a previous vac scheme participant at firms including Hill Dickinson and Walker Morris, I asked Madelaine what advice she has for aspiring solicitors hoping to secure vacation schemes or training contracts. “When you’re writing your applications, you’ve got to bring the question back to you and why you want to work at the firm. While it’s easy to say why a law firm is great, I think candidates should bring in an interest or practical experience they have that makes the great thing at the firm pertinent to them. Making an application personal helps show a genuine interest in the firm and that you have engaged with what they stand for and their specialisms”, she advises.

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Follows trial last year

Bar course students will now have the option to take additional resits to enable them to be called to the bar.

After a trial with BPP University Law School in December 2023, the opportunity for additional attempts at assessments will be extended to all bar students this spring.

Students will complete resits with BPP, regardless of the original provider they were enrolled with.

These extra attempts are available even if a student has reached the maximum number of permitted re-sits for the academic award at their original provider. Students who choose to take extra resits with BPP will be eligible to be called to the bar, but will not receive an academic qualification from either BPP, or their original provider. Students will then be qualified to undertake a pupillage.

Whilst students must complete their bar studies within five years of enrolment, “as far as the BSB is concerned, there is no limit to the number of times those elements can be retaken within 5 years”, a document on the programme by BPP reads.

To qualify, students must have exhausted all assessment opportunities and appeals processes at their original provider.