Qualifying Work Experience
From 2021 onwards, anyone who was aiming to become a solicitor in England and Wales would have to take the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE).
After nearly a decade of consultation, the Legal Services Board took the decision to replace the Legal Practice Course (LPC) and Training Contract with an updated route for qualification.
This means that in order to become a solicitor, candidates must:
- Hold a degree, equivalent qualification, or equivalent experience;
- Pass the two phases of SQE examinations;
- Complete two years’ Qualifying Work Experience; and
- Meet the SRA’s character and suitability requirements.
At Vario, our Flexible Services team offer a paralegal service, whereby high quality, vetted candidates can be placed on assignment with clients’ in-house legal teams. This offering has greatly expanded over the last 12 months and has had a positive impact on both clients and candidates alike.
For candidates, this impact is likely to continue even more so with the SQE, as working as a Vario Flexible Paralegal can contribute towards your Qualifying Work Experience. Diana Carina Azoitei, has done exactly that, and upon qualifying as a solicitor, she has accepted an NQ assignment as a Vario Consultant. We asked her about her experience working within our Flexible Service paralegal offering and below is what she had to share.
What sort of work did you get to do whilst on assignment?
My Vario assignments were quite varied in terms of the type of work I undertook and the sort of clients I was seconded to. I was placed in a range of in-house legal teams within the Financial Services and Technology sectors, as well as worked alongside the Pinsent Masons TMT team in London.
Very early on as a Vario Flexible Paralegal, I realised that I wanted to specialise in Data Protection and Privacy law so discussed opportunities with my Account Manager to complete assignments in my desired industry. As such, I had the chance to work on a wide range of data privacy related issues. For example, I conducted data protection risk assessments in relation to one of my client’s product offering, carried out extensive research regarding risks associated with international data transfers at another and advised on data subject rights at a different client amongst many other matters.
Did the variety of work on offer help you to develop as a legal professional?
Yes, the work at Vario allowed me to develop all the skills necessary to become a solicitor. I would however say that whilst the SQE offers more flexibility in terms of the type of work that counts as "Qualifying Work Experience" (QWE), this may come with a certain level of uncertainty as I was not undertaking a structured training contract.
Therefore, I kept a detailed record of all the work experience and skills I developed throughout the 2-year QWE period and constantly compared this to the competencies specified by the SRA in order to keep track of my overall professional development. Prior to each Vario assignment, I made sure to communicate to my Account Manager what additional responsibilities I would like to take on and highlighted what skills I needed to develop or refine further as part of a new role.
What was your experience of working with our Account Management team through your assignments?
I had a very good experience with the Account Management team throughout my assignments. There was always open communication and support with regard to potential new assignments and interview preparation. My Account Manager would usually contact me a couple of weeks prior to an assignment finishing to discuss new roles and opportunities which gave me a good amount of job security and the ability to plan ahead.
Did you feel connected to the wider firm whilst working as a Vario Flexible Paralegal?
This will very much depend on what an individual makes out of their time of being a Vario Paralegal. I definitely enjoyed attending events organised for the wider Vario community, such as our Christmas and Spring Parties, and getting to know other Vario Paralegals and qualified legal consultants.
I also felt welcomed and encouraged by the wider Pinsent Masons community, particularly the TMT team, to participate in networking events and Away Days. Everyone is very friendly and approachable; it was only a matter of not being too shy to join an event.
Do you think that you time working with Vario as a paralegal has prepared you for working as an NQ?
Yes, I do feel prepared to start a new chapter as an NQ solicitor thanks to the amazing experiences I gained on my Vario assignments. I would however like to emphasise again the importance of being proactive and honest with yourself when evaluating your skills and abilities, particularly when completing the QWE part of the SQE2.
The SQE offers a lot of flexibility and independence when compared to a traditional training contract. However, it is crucial to strive for a new challenge with each new assignment and put yourself outside your comfort zone to keep learning new things and develop further as a legal professional.
Would you recommend Vario to other paralegals looking to complete the SQE?
Yes absolutely - both Pinsent Masons and Vario have been very open and accommodating since I first showed my interest that I wanted to qualify via the SQE route 2 years ago. I did appreciate that this was a new process and not many knew what to expect, however there was no reticence on part of Vario or the individual who supervised and signed off my QWE to support me throughout this journey.
If you’re interested in becoming a Vario Flexible Paralegal like Diana, then you can apply now to see how we can help your legal career.
Alternatively, if you think your in-house legal team would benefit from our Flexible Services offering, please get in touch.