Are law firms still recruiting LPC graduates?

Dear Oracle

Are law firms still recruiting LPC graduates or do I need to complete the Solicitors Qualifying Exam?

The Oracle replies

Reading time: five minutes

First things first, the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) and its crossover with the LPC is the root cause of a lot of worries for students we speak to – so, you’re unlikely to be the only person with this question. Students are voicing concerns over whether they should be completing the SQE instead of the LPC or vice versa (where eligible), and whether law firms will still recruit candidates who’ve completed the LPC onto their training contracts.

Find out whether you meet the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s (SRA) transitional arrangements via our SQE Feature.

In 2025, many aspiring lawyers are no longer eligible to take the LPC, depending on transitional arrangements. According to the SRA, candidates can qualify via the LPC if they:

• have a qualifying law degree (QLD) or exempting law degree (ELD) (completed before 1 September 2021).
• started one of these degrees before 1 September 2021.
• accepted an offer for a QLD or ELD by 21 September 2021 and started the course before 31 December 2021.
• deferred their 2020/21 place on a QLD or ELD but started it by 31 August 2022 – evidence of the deferral will need to be provided to be eligible for the LPC.

If you’re an LPC graduate, it’s worth researching how you can qualify at different firms and whether you’ll need to take any additional courses.

Are firms still recruiting LPC graduates?

The answer to this question really depends on the firm. Some  law firms will continue to recruit LPC graduates (likely with additional requirements in place) for the time being. That said, other firms have overhauled their training programmes to adopt the SQE and will be solely recruiting future trainees who’ll complete SQE preparation and sit the SQE assessments using firms’ preferred training providers (eg, The University of Law, BARBRI or BPP University Law School). We’ve provided examples of what specific firms are doing later in the article to give you a clearer idea of what the above means in practice. 

The SRA has explained that candidates who’ve passed the LPC can also qualify as solicitors by passing the SQE2 assessment and completing two years’ qualifying work experience (QWE), which is likely to be a route that many law firms will take for future trainee cohorts. This is also a good option if you’ve passed the LPC but you want to make use of the flexibility that QWE offers. For those who’ve passed the LPC, SQE2 and QWE can be used as an ‘equivalent’ to a period of recognised training (ie, a training contract).

If you’re an LPC graduate whose goal is to qualify as a solicitor by building up QWE outside of a training contract, as well as passing SQE2 (ie, using SQE2 and QWE as an equivalent), you must let the SRA know – there are forms on the SRA’s website for this.

To qualify in this way, you’ll need to:

• pass the LPC;
• record two years’ full-time or equivalent QWE; and
• pass the SQE2.

Find out more about using SQE2 as an equivalence via the SRA website.

For those hoping to land a training contract (the route that’s likely to remain the most popular into the profession), you should conduct research to find out which firms are still recruiting LPC graduates. While the majority of firms have switched to the SQE route, there are still options for LPC graduates.

For example, while Charles Russell Speechlys LLP states that its “preference” is for candidates to take the SQE, the firm’s training contract “will also support those who have already commenced or completed the LPC”, according to the firm’s profile on LawCareers.Net. The firm’s website explains that those following the LPC route will cover the core modules and elective modules of the Professional Skills Course (PSC) during their training contract to ensure they’ve covered the hours required by the SRA. 

At Burges Salmon LLP, trainees that have already completed the LPC will be required to sit SQE2 exams but will be exempt from SQE1. Meanwhile, Ward Hadaway says that it’s still recruiting for both SQE and LPC routes, stating that applicants who’ve not yet completed or started the LPC will receive sponsorship for the SQE, while those who’ve started or completed the LPC won’t be required to complete the SQE as part of the firm’s training contract.

What’s the difference between training contracts and QWE? Find out in this Oracle. 

The above examples highlight the various ways that law firms are moving forward with the LPC and SQE between now and when the LPC will eventually be phased out by 2032. So, in short, yes there are law firms that’ll continue to recruit LPC graduates – you’ll just need to do some research to find the best firm for you and your circumstances because not every firm is taking the same approach.