Firms have been urged not to dismiss aspiring solicitors who fail their first attempt at the Solicitors Qualifying Examination. SQE1 candidates got their results this week, with reports that some firms rescinded training contract offers to those who did not pass.
Trish McLellan, director of engagement with wellbeing charity LawCare, said managers should consider the pressure and stress candidates are under. ‘We are seeing challenges around juggling studying and working, especially from people working long hours and going home feeling they need to study with very little time off,’ McLellan told the Law Society risk and compliance conference yesterday.
‘You forget as you get more experience how you felt as a junior and how overwhelming it is to seek support.’
Patrick McCann, chair of the City of London Law Society training committee, said lives are ‘potentially being devastated’ by these decisions, pointing out that firms are potentially wasting the huge amounts they have invested. McCann told the Gazette: ‘I’d urge all law firms to engage with their future talent who need to retake their first attempt at SQE1. SQE1 is an extremely challenging assessment, testing against NQ knowledge criteria, with a pass rate only just above 50%, very significantly below the pass rates for LPC.
‘As a new assessment, there is not yet sufficient data to demonstrate the applicability of this assessment to success as a qualified solicitor and more work needs to be done to prove the objectivity of the assessment.’
Marcus Ketley, early careers adviser at international firm TLT, said it was disappointing to see reports of offers being rescinded. ‘A word of advice for aspiring solicitors,’ he added. ‘When you are looking at firms and see on their website that they have a “great culture” or are an “inclusive employer”… remember, actions speak louder than words.’
Daniel George Peacock, chair of the Junior Lawyers Division, said the group was ‘deeply concerned’ that some junior members and stressed the wellbeing of junior members undertaking the SQE should always be a priority.
He added: ‘Providing a supportive and inclusive environment for their junior members should be of the utmost importance to all firms. As of 2023, the pass rate for SQE1 was around 51 to 53% which could have devastating mental and financial consequences for thousands of candidates each year.
‘Whilst we await the exact figures, it is important to note the SQE is still well within its infancy and comparing figures with the previous LPC pass rates should be avoided on account of the different standard that is achieved upon its completion.
‘We maintain our stance that firms should not impose a blanket rejection policy and we invite further guidance to be provided to candidates. firms should work collaboratively with candidates that are undertaking the SQE and not against them at the beginning of their careers.’
SQE1 consists of two assessments of 180 multiple-choice questions. Each assessment takes place on a separate day. Each day is split into two sessions with 90 questions in each session.
