To ask the lawyers of Mumsnet if I should take the SQE

[OrangeCrushes]

I am a member of the NY Bar and I have worked in the UK for 15 years: first in Magic Circle (disputes/Investigations, then doing enforcement investigations for a UK regulator, and now in house at a bank.

Is there any serious benefit to getting UK qualified? I may be able to swing studying and taking it in January, but with the cost of loads of stress and the risk of failing. Just don't know if it's worth it for someone with my profile.

YABU: take the exam
YANBU: don't bother ruining your life for several months

Are you being paid the same as lawyers qualified in England and Wales in your workplace? If so maybe not.

If not then maybe. Also look at what SQE exemptions you may be entitled to!

I don't think it would be worth the hassle - your experience is worth exponentially more than a basic UK legal qualification. Particularly given that you are in-house. If you were looking to move to a legal firm and present yourself as a UK qualified lawyer then my answer would be different though.

I know someone who works in a magic circle firm as an associate who isn’t UK qualified. She does UK work but isn’t actually technically qualified in this jurisdiction. So it’s not impossible to still practice law in a law firm without it.

If you can manage the SQE (physically, financially, emotionally) then it will open up more doors, particularly if you want to practice law in a law firm. But it’s brutal, the pass rate is low, and it gets even lower when you look at older age groups. I guess you’re not on a bad salary in a bank, so I’m not sure if it’s worth it. I think it’s around 400 hours of study to be exam ready.

(I’ve been told that if you’re over 40 the SQE has a really low pass rate, and having looked at some of the questions, I’m not sure I could do it - the LPC was a walk in the park in comparison) 😬

Yikes.

Further context: I am really over my job and may want to pivot within law slightly in the future. Maybe

I just turned 45 😔. Wonder why the pass rates are so low for older people???

Oh, and I would only have to do the SQE1 due to my experience

Bumping in case the morning crew has any views 😊

Another hopeful bump. I'm planning to call some recruiters to ask about this also

I’m a partner in a regional law firm OP and I’m not sure I’d bother at your experience level. We wouldn’t be particularly bothered by your lack of UK qualification. We’ve taken on people before who are Australian qualified etc and it’s made clear on the website and in their email signature e.g. instead of ‘Senior Associate’ it says ‘Senior Associate (Australia)’.

@Squidgemoon that's really helpful! Could I ask what practice area you are in?

@OrangeCrushes I’m in commercial litigation. I know we’ve had foreign qualified employment and corporate lawyers in the past as well as in my team.

There is a legal section on mumsnet, in case you weren't aware.

@Abitofalark Ty!

Could you not do a QLTS?

Edit - nope, it’s gone. Blimey!

Wouldn’t bother. Experience is more important at that level. You should be hired on your ability not what your technical legal title is.

I am MC trained but work in house with a broad range of lawyers from multiple jurisdictions

@ConfusedSloth yes, it's gone! I had just moved here temporarily on secondment (afaik then) when they were phasing out the easier qualification options for foreign lawyers. If only I had known!

I'm seriously leaning towards no, but welcome any further views!!!