How to Become a Lawyer
Three main routes to qualifying as a lawyer in England & Wales. Compare the SQE solicitor route, the Bar route for barristers, and the CILEx route — no degree required.
SQE Route
The Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) is the standard route to qualifying as a solicitor in England & Wales since September 2021.
Bar Route
The traditional route to qualifying as a barrister, involving an undergraduate degree, the Bar Training Course, and a highly competitive 12-month pupillage.
CILEx Route
The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx) offers a practical, work-based route to becoming a fully qualified lawyer without needing a university degree.
Judicial Appointments
The JAC-managed process for appointing judges in England & Wales, from part-time fee-paid roles to the Supreme Court.
Apprenticeship Route
Legal apprenticeships offer a debt-free route into the profession, combining paid employment with structured training leading to solicitor or paralegal qualification.
Quick Comparison
| SQE Route | Bar Route | CILEx Route | Judicial Appointments | Apprenticeship Route | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leads to | Solicitor | Barrister | Chartered Legal Executive | ||
| Duration | 5–7 years from starting a degree | 5–7 years from starting a degree | 5–8 years from Level 3 to Fellowship (shorter if entering at Level 6) | 15–30+ years from starting legal career to full-time judicial appointment | 6 years (solicitor) / 2 years (paralegal) / 4–5 years (CILEx) |
| Total cost | £38,000–£62,000 (before employer sponsorship) | £50,000–£75,000 (before scholarships and pupillage award) | £7,000–£13,000 (significantly less than solicitor or barrister route) | Free (the appointment process has no cost; prior legal qualification costs apply) | £0 — fully funded by employer and government (apprentice receives a salary throughout) |
| Degree needed? | Yes (any subject) | Yes (2:1+ expected) | No | ||
| Regulated by | Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) | Bar Standards Board (BSB) | CILEx Regulation | Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) | SRA (solicitor) / CILEx Regulation (CILEx) / Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education |