SRA announces apprentice success on new solicitors’ exam

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) announced on 9 February that apprentices are outperforming other candidates taking the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). The SQE is part of a new route to becoming a solicitor in England and Wales, which was introduced in 2021. On average, the SRA states that apprentice pass rates are 25.3 per cent higher than the overall pass rate. During the September 2021 to August 2022 examination year, over 100 apprentices took the exams. The SRA draws attention to the limited sample size so far, but comments that more data will be gathered in the coming years.