How to Prepare for QWE Placement
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When planning where to complete your Qualifying Work Experience (QWE), it is beneficial to carefully consider the type of work and opportunities each organisation offers. Your QWE placement is not only a chance to develop the competencies outlined in the Statement of Solicitor Competence but also to build a strong foundation in ethics and professionalism. Ideally, this placement will provide you with hands-on legal experience that can help prepare you for the SQE2 assessments by allowing you to practise the essential skills tested.
Before starting your QWE, it is useful to reflect on a few key questions and discuss them with your prospective organisation. First, consider the variety of work available. A placement that predominantly involves routine administrative tasks or limited legal transactions may not fully support your competency development or provide the breadth of experience needed for SQE2 success. Aim for a placement that offers a diverse and meaningful range of tasks, allowing you to engage with different aspects of legal work.
Clarifying mutual expectations between you and the organisation is also critical. Knowing if the placement will meet QWE standards from the outset can shape your goals and ensure you’re on the right path. Additionally, discussing your career aspirations can give the organisation insight into how best to support your professional growth and what resources they might provide to help you qualify as a solicitor.
If your placement is within a regulated firm, identify the solicitor or Compliance Officer for Legal Practice (COLP) responsible for confirming your QWE. The organisation should clarify this point early on. If there is not a solicitor within the organisation to confirm your QWE, you will need to find an external solicitor willing to do so. This confirming solicitor must have firsthand knowledge of your work, as they will need to review your tasks and receive feedback from your direct supervisors.
Finally, understanding your daily supervision structure is essential for a productive experience. Your supervisor plays a pivotal role in guiding your learning and monitoring the quality of your work. It may be helpful to ask them how they will assess the standard of your work, provide constructive feedback, and ensure you are exposed to a variety of tasks. You may also want to discuss how they will help you navigate ethical issues and maintain professional standards in accordance with the SRA Codes of Conduct. This guidance not only ensures that you are meeting the QWE requirements but also helps you build the judgment and skills necessary for future practice as a solicitor.
Before starting your QWE, it is useful to reflect on a few key questions and discuss them with your prospective organisation. First, consider the variety of work available. A placement that predominantly involves routine administrative tasks or limited legal transactions may not fully support your competency development or provide the breadth of experience needed for SQE2 success. Aim for a placement that offers a diverse and meaningful range of tasks, allowing you to engage with different aspects of legal work.
Clarifying mutual expectations between you and the organisation is also critical. Knowing if the placement will meet QWE standards from the outset can shape your goals and ensure you’re on the right path. Additionally, discussing your career aspirations can give the organisation insight into how best to support your professional growth and what resources they might provide to help you qualify as a solicitor.
If your placement is within a regulated firm, identify the solicitor or Compliance Officer for Legal Practice (COLP) responsible for confirming your QWE. The organisation should clarify this point early on. If there is not a solicitor within the organisation to confirm your QWE, you will need to find an external solicitor willing to do so. This confirming solicitor must have firsthand knowledge of your work, as they will need to review your tasks and receive feedback from your direct supervisors.
Finally, understanding your daily supervision structure is essential for a productive experience. Your supervisor plays a pivotal role in guiding your learning and monitoring the quality of your work. It may be helpful to ask them how they will assess the standard of your work, provide constructive feedback, and ensure you are exposed to a variety of tasks. You may also want to discuss how they will help you navigate ethical issues and maintain professional standards in accordance with the SRA Codes of Conduct. This guidance not only ensures that you are meeting the QWE requirements but also helps you build the judgment and skills necessary for future practice as a solicitor.
