Solicitor qualification glossary: QWE, FLK, SBA, NQ and more

What do the main solicitor qualification terms mean?

To qualify as a solicitor through the SQE you pass SQE1 (two papers, FLK1 and FLK2, of single best answer questions) and SQE2, complete two years’ full-time or equivalent qualifying work experience (QWE) with up to four organisations, and meet the character and suitability requirements. Once admitted, you are a newly qualified solicitor, or NQ. (SRA, Authorisation of Individuals Regulations) (SRA, SQE Assessment Regulations)

Below, 36 terms are grouped by stage, each with its source and the guide that explains it in depth. Where the SRA defines a term, the definition follows its wording; informal terms are marked.

What do the SQE exam terms mean?

SQE (Solicitors Qualifying Examination)

The assessment you pass to qualify as a solicitor of England and Wales. It has two parts, SQE1 and SQE2, and you must pass SQE1 before you enrol for SQE2. (SRA, SQE Assessment Regulations) See SQE1 vs SQE2.

SQE1

The first part of the SQE: two Functioning Legal Knowledge assessments, FLK1 and FLK2, both of which you must pass. (SRA, SQE Assessment Regulations) See how SQE1 is structured.

SQE2

The second part of the SQE: a single assessment with oral and written parts, taken in one assessment window after you have passed SQE1. (SRA, SQE Assessment Regulations) See SQE1 vs SQE2.

FLK (Functioning Legal Knowledge)

The legal knowledge required to qualify as a solicitor of England and Wales. SQE1 tests it by asking you to apply the law to client problems at the level of a newly qualified solicitor. (SRA, SQE Assessment Regulations) (SRA, SQE1 Assessment Specification) See FLK1 vs FLK2.

FLK1 and FLK2

The two SQE1 papers. FLK1 covers Business Law and Practice, Dispute Resolution, Contract, Tort, the Legal System and Legal Services; FLK2 covers Property Practice, Wills and the Administration of Estates, Solicitors Accounts, Land Law, Trusts, Criminal Liability and Criminal Law and Practice. From January 2027 each has 170 questions in two sessions of 85. (SRA, SQE1 Assessment Specification) (SRA announcement, 10 September 2026) See what each paper covers.

SBA (single best answer question)

The SQE1 question format: a question followed by five possible answers, of which only one is correct. (SRA, SQE1 Assessment Specification) See single best answer questions.

Ethics and Professional Conduct

Not a separate paper: ethics is examined pervasively across both FLK assessments. (SRA, SQE1 Assessment Specification) See ethics in SQE1.

Assessment window (sitting)

A period of time, set by Kaplan, during which candidates can sit the assessments. FLK1 and FLK2 are normally sat in the same window. (SRA, SQE Assessment Regulations) See SQE1 dates 2027.

Pass mark

You pass SQE1 by reaching the pass mark in both FLK1 and FLK2. Results are reported as a mark out of 500, with the pass mark always at 300. (SRA, SQE Assessment Regulations) (SRA, 1 April 2025) See SQE1 pass mark and results.

Closed book

SQE1 is sat without books or notes. Questions test fundamental principles a newly qualified solicitor should know, not detail they would look up. (SRA, SQE1 Assessment Specification)

Law cut-off date

Each sitting examines the law as it stands four calendar months before the first assessment in its window. (SRA, SQE1 Assessment Specification)

Mitigating circumstances

A mistake or irregularity in how an assessment was run, evidence of bias, or illness or other personal circumstances beyond your reasonable control that materially and adversely affect your marks or performance. (SRA, SQE Assessment Regulations) See what to do after failing SQE1.

Reasonable adjustments

Changes to assessment methods so that a candidate is not disadvantaged by a disability; requests for other conditions are considered case by case. (SRA, SQE Assessment Regulations) See reasonable adjustments for SQE1.

Six-year period

You have six years from the date you first sat an SQE assessment to sit the rest. After that, you reapply and earlier passes do not carry forward; the SRA can extend the period in exceptional circumstances. (SRA, SQE Assessment Regulations) See resits and time limits.

Kaplan

The assessment provider that delivers the SQE for the SRA, including reasonable adjustments. (SRA, SQE Update February 2026) (SRA, SQE Assessment Regulations)

Assessment Specification

The SRA’s document on the content of the SQE: what each FLK paper covers and how it is tested. (SRA, SQE Assessment Regulations) (SRA, SQE1 Assessment Specification)

What do the competence terms mean?

Competence statement

The SRA’s description of what a solicitor must be able to do, in three parts: the Statement of Solicitor Competence, the Threshold Standard and the Statement of Legal Knowledge. (SRA, statement of solicitor competence)

Statement of Solicitor Competence (SoSC)

The competences required to qualify, under four headings: ethics, professionalism and judgment; technical legal practice; working with other people; and managing yourself and your own work. (SRA, SQE Assessment Regulations) (SRA, statement of solicitor competence)

Threshold Standard

The level at which the competences must be performed. SQE1 tests at level 3, the level of a newly qualified solicitor. (SRA, SQE1 Assessment Specification)

What do the work experience terms mean?

QWE (qualifying work experience)

At least two years’ full-time or equivalent experience of providing legal services that lets you develop the competences, with no more than four organisations. It can be paid or voluntary and gained before, during or after the SQE assessments. (SRA, Authorisation of Individuals Regulations) (SRA, qualifying work experience) See what counts as QWE.

COLP (compliance officer for legal practice)

A COLP or a solicitor working in the organisation confirms your QWE; if neither is available, a solicitor outside it can, after reviewing your work and feedback from your supervisors. (SRA Glossary) (SRA, Authorisation of Individuals Regulations)

Training contract (period of recognised training)

The period of recognised training on the LPC route. Under the SQE, time on a training contract can count as QWE, and candidates with the LPC can use QWE and SQE2 as an equivalent to a period of recognised training. (SRA Glossary) (SRA, QWE for employers) See training contracts and failing SQE1.

Paralegal

Legal staff who are not qualified lawyers. Paralegal work that involves providing legal services can count as QWE. (SRA, qualifying work experience) Informal term; the SRA does not define it. See QWE calculator.

Solicitor apprenticeship

A route in England, not Wales, that can start after A levels and typically takes five to six years; a graduate apprenticeship typically takes two to three. It counts as QWE, and the SQE training and assessments are paid through the apprenticeship levy. (SRA, solicitor apprenticeships) See becoming a solicitor without a law degree.

What do the route and admission terms mean?

SRA (Solicitors Regulation Authority)

The regulator that sets the requirements for admission as a solicitor: passing the SQE, a degree or equivalent, QWE, character and suitability, and English or Welsh language proficiency. (SRA, Authorisation of Individuals Regulations) See how to become a solicitor.

LPC (Legal Practice Course)

A course from an authorised provider that was part of the old route; it now leads to qualification only under the transitional arrangements. (SRA Glossary) (SRA, LPC transitional requirements) See SQE vs LPC.

Transitional arrangements

Rules that let candidates who had started, or accepted a place on, a law degree, CPE/GDL, LPC or training contract before the SQE began finish qualifying through the old route, within a deadline. (SRA, LPC transitional requirements) (SRA, SQE Q&A) See LPC or new route checker.

Degree or equivalent

A degree in any subject, or qualifications or experience the SRA accepts as equivalent, is one of the requirements for admission. (SRA, Authorisation of Individuals Regulations) (SRA, degree and equivalent qualifications) See without a law degree.

Character and suitability

The SRA must be satisfied as to your character and suitability before admission. If you are concerned about a possible issue, you can apply voluntarily for an early assessment; you only have to disclose issues when you apply for admission. (SRA, Authorisation of Individuals Regulations) (SRA, character and suitability) (SRA, early assessment of character and suitability)

SQE exemption

Lawyers qualified outside England and Wales can apply for an exemption from SQE1, SQE2 or both; SQE1 exemptions are very rare, and an SQE2 exemption depends on practice rights and experience. (SRA, SQE exemptions) (SRA, SQE1 exemption) (SRA, SQE2 exemption) See exemptions for qualified lawyers.

mySRA

The SRA’s online account, used to choose your admission date and to apply for your practising certificate. (SRA, before and after admission)

Admission and the roll

A solicitor is a person admitted as a solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales whose name is on the roll. On admission, your details are added to the Solicitors Register within 24 hours. (SRA Glossary) (SRA, before and after admission)

Practising certificate (PC)

What you may need to carry out reserved legal activities. You apply after choosing your admission date and renew it each year before 31 October; not everyone on the roll holds one. (SRA, before and after admission) (SRA, population of solicitors)

What do the career terms mean?

NQ (newly qualified solicitor)

A solicitor who has recently qualified. The SQE sets its standard at this level: SQE1 tests the knowledge expected of a newly qualified solicitor. (SRA, SQE1 Assessment Specification) Informal term; the SRA does not define it. See trainee and NQ salaries.

PQE (post-qualification experience)

The time since you qualified, used in job adverts and pay scales, as in “two years’ PQE”. Informal term; the SRA does not define it.

Clawback

A clause in a funding agreement that says when a sponsored trainee must repay course or exam fees, for example after leaving the firm. Informal term; the SRA does not define it. See deferral and clawback.

Which terms do people mix up?

• SQE1 is not the whole SQE. You also need SQE2, QWE and the other admission requirements. (SRA, Authorisation of Individuals Regulations)
• QWE is not the same as a training contract. A training contract can count as QWE, but so can paralegal work, a law clinic or volunteering, with up to four organisations. (SRA, qualifying work experience)
• FLK1 and FLK2 are not separate qualifications. You need the pass mark in both, normally sat in the same window. (SRA, SQE Assessment Regulations)
• 300 is not 60% of the questions. The pass mark for each paper is set under the SRA’s standard-setting policy and reported as 300 on a scale of 500. (SRA, SQE Assessment Regulations) (SRA, 1 April 2025)
• Being on the roll is not the same as holding a practising certificate. The roll also lists solicitors who do not practise. (SRA, population of solicitors)

Which guide covers each stage?

Route, fees and dates: How to become a solicitor: six stages, Becoming a solicitor without a law degree, Changing careers to become a solicitor, Solicitor vs barrister, SQE vs LPC, Exemptions for qualified lawyers, Qualifying work experience, Cost of qualifying, SQE1 dates 2027 and booking, SQE1 vs SQE2, Trainee and NQ salaries, Trainee pay and the real Living Wage.

The exam and its subjects: How SQE1 is structured, FLK1 vs FLK2, Business Law and Practice, Dispute Resolution, Contract, Tort, Legal System, Legal Services, Property Practice, Wills and the Administration of Estates, Solicitors Accounts, Land Law, Trusts, Criminal Liability, Criminal Law and Practice, Ethics and Professional Conduct, Exam day checklist, Reasonable adjustments.

Revision: SQE1 study plan, Revising with spaced repetition, Single best answer questions, SQE1 while working full time, Revising as a parent or carer.

Results and setbacks: Pass mark and results, Waiting for results, Resits, attempts and time limits, Failed SQE1? What next, Training contracts and failing, Exam anxiety.

What this means for you

Start with the six stages in how to become a solicitor, then use this page whenever a term trips you up. If SQE1 is your next step, the free SQE1 quick test shows what single best answer questions feel like, and our SQE1 course covers both papers.

High Performer Certs is an independent study platform. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), and it is not authorised or accredited by the SRA or the SQE assessment provider. The SQE and SOLICITORS QUALIFYING EXAMINATION trade marks are the property of and are used under licence from the Solicitors Regulation Authority.