What Organisations May Offer QWE?

Organisations providing Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) play an essential role in creating an environment that fosters professional growth and the development of key legal skills for aspiring solicitors. These organisations, whether regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) or not, are expected to expose you to a broad range of tasks and legal matters. Organisations can help QWE you to develop competencies as outlined in the Statement of Solicitor Competence by involving you in diverse activities. While you need exposure to only a minimum of two competencies for your QWE to qualify, a richer variety of tasks can better prepare you for the demands of legal practice.

Ethical conduct is central to solicitor practice, and organisations are expected to guide you in learning to behave in accordance with the SRA Codes of Conduct. By observing and learning from experienced practitioners, you gain practical insights into ethical decision-making and professionalism, reinforcing the importance of integrity in your work. Furthermore, organisations are encouraged to provide you with access to skilled supervisors who can offer constructive feedback. Supervisors play a key role in helping you reflect on your work, identify your strengths, and understand areas where you need further development, supporting continuous professional growth.

For QWE to be valid, it must be confirmed by a Compliance Officer for Legal Practice (COLP) if the organisation has one. Alternatively, a solicitor within the organisation or an external solicitor may confirm the experience. However, the confirming solicitor must have reviewed your work during the QWE period and received feedback from the supervising personnel to verify that the experience aligns with QWE criteria. This confirmation process ensures that your experience has met the standards required to qualify as QWE, regardless of whether the confirming solicitor is within the same organisation or external to it.