Difficult exams are ‘discriminatory', say junior lawyers
A petition signed by hundreds of trainee lawyers has called for the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) to be made easier over concerns the tests are 'disproportionately challenging' and favour 'certain backgrounds and learning styles'.
In an appeal to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), the lawyers said that low pass rates among ethnic minority candidates 'will undoubtedly lead to a lack of diversity within the profession'.
Critics of the SQE have pointed to figures from the SRA showing that white candidates have significantly higher pass rates than those from ethnic minority backgrounds since the exam was introduced in 2021.
In the most recent round of testing in January, 70pc of white candidates passed the SQE compared to 49pc of Asian candidates and 37pc of black candidates, the SRA's figures show.
The petition, which has now been signed by more than 650 lawyers, also claims that the pressure surrounding the exam is causing 'extreme stress and anxiety' for candidates.
Low pass rates on the SQE have led to criticism that the tests are overly difficult compared to the Legal Practice Course (LPC) exams that they replaced four years ago.
The most recent figures from January show that 56pc of candidates passed the SQE tests, up from 44pc in July.
The SRA's figures show that women have lower pass rates than men, while candidates from working-class backgrounds also perform worse than their peers.
In a note explaining the petition, a trainee solicitor under the name Hannah Cox said: 'Despite being academically very strong, with a law degree from a top university and a training contract with an international firm, I have found the SQE disproportionately challenging.
'It has not only affected my academic life but has also taken a severe toll on my mental, financial, and physical well-being. This is a sentiment echoed by the vast majority of other candidates who have undertaken this exam.'
The SQE is now the main way to qualify as a lawyer. It sees candidates take a series of multiple-choice tests on subjects including criminal law and contracts. Trainees also take oral exams to test their advocacy skills.
Trainee lawyers have faced severe consequences for failing their SQE, including having their training contracts rescinded and being forced to repay qualification costs to their respective law firms.
The SRA itself has admitted to 'teething problems' with the SQE, including in relation to the lower pass rates among black and Asian candidates.
It has said it is investigating the reasons behind the discrepancy, which it said was also seen on the LPC exams.
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