SCRUTINISING THE SQE

The Legal Services Board threw the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) into doubt last month, telling the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) its approval was not a foregone conclusion. The oversight regulator wants the SRA to provide clarity over quality and cost, addressing concerns that it may not be an improvement on the existing regime. Addressing the full board last month, director of regulation and policy Chris Nichols said: 'It is important that the SQE provides a fully valid assessment of competence and that quality, and perceptions of quality, are not compromised.' An application to approve changes to the SRA's rules is expected in summer 2020. 12 November 2019

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