Solicitor SRA Qualification Translation UK: 2026 SQE Guide
Since September 2021, the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) has replaced the old Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme (QLTS). It is now the main route for lawyers who qualified abroad and want SRA admission. You sit the SQE in English. But to check that you are eligible, the SRA needs certified translations of your law degree, your LPC-equivalent, and your work experience evidence. This guide explains what the SRA expects.
The SQE Route (SQE1 + SQE2)
The SQE is a two-part exam. The main requirements are:
- Degree or equivalent — in any subject, though overseas lawyers usually have a law degree
- SQE1 — multiple-choice legal knowledge (functioning legal knowledge)
- SQE2 — practical legal skills (oral and written)
- Two years' Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) — domestic or international
- Character & suitability — SRA conduct standards
QWE from Overseas Practice Counts
The SRA accepts Qualifying Work Experience from overseas law firms, in-house roles, or legal clinics. The work must be in a legal setting. It must also be signed off by a qualified solicitor, barrister, or other approved signatory. So most overseas lawyers can count the work they have already done towards the two years of QWE.
Documents Requiring Certified Translation
| Document | SRA Use |
|---|---|
| Law degree (LLB, JD, or equivalent) | Proves academic qualification |
| Academic transcript | Module-level curriculum evidence |
| Post-graduate legal training (LPC/PGDL equivalent) | May support exemptions |
| Certificate of admission (home bar / law society) | Foreign qualification evidence |
| Certificate of Good Standing | Character / discipline record |
| QWE confirmation letters | Employer sign-off for 2-year work experience |
| Prior employment references | Supplementary QWE evidence |
Special Translation Considerations for Lawyers
Legal translation is one of the most specialised areas. A translator working on SRA documents should have:
- Legal translation qualification (CIOL DipTrans Law option, ITI Legal Network)
- Knowledge of civil-law and common-law terms
- An understanding of how your country admits lawyers to the bar
- The skill to keep technical legal terms without adding their own reading
Don't Auto-Translate to UK Equivalents
A Spanish "Graduado en Derecho" should be translated literally ("Graduate in Law (Licenciatura)"), not rendered as "LLB". A German "Rechtsanwalt" is "attorney-at-law (Rechtsanwalt)", not "solicitor". The SRA decides what counts as equivalent. The translator's job is to render the words faithfully, not to interpret them.
Common Source Jurisdictions
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I get exemptions for being already qualified overseas?
The SQE has few formal exemptions. Most overseas lawyers sit the full SQE1 and SQE2. But you can usually meet the QWE requirement through overseas practice alone. That saves you the time of a UK training contract.
Can I use my overseas bar admission as the degree equivalent?
Yes — the SRA accepts foreign bar admissions as "degree equivalent" for SQE eligibility. Your translated admission certificate is the key document.
How much does SQE cost?
As of 2026, SQE1 costs about £1,798 and SQE2 about £2,766. Prep courses cost extra, from £3,000 to £15,000. Translating a document pack usually costs £200–£400.
Which visa do I need for SQE?
Most SQE candidates come on one of four routes: Skilled Worker (sponsored by a law firm), Standard Visitor (for the exam itself), HPI (graduates of top-50 universities), or the Graduate visa (after UK study). Each route has its own translation requirements.
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Translate Legal Qualifications for SRA
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