Frequently asked
Who can still qualify via Equivalent Means?
Equivalent Means is part of the Legal Practice Course (LPC) route, which is gradually closing. Eligibility now turns on the Solicitors Regulation Authority's (SRA) transitional arrangements — here's what they mean in practice.
In short: if you started a Qualifying Law Degree (QLD) in September 2022 or later, Equivalent Means is not open to you, and the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) — taken alongside a training contract, in-house scheme or solicitor apprenticeship — is the route to qualification. Everyone using the LPC route, Equivalent Means included, must be admitted by 31 December 2032. The detail below explains the exceptions and edge cases.
Eligibility under the transitional arrangements
What Equivalent Means actually exempts
Equivalent Means vs SQE — making the call
Process & timing
Guidance only — not regulated legal advice. Sources: SRA, Equivalent Means information pack (updated 25 October 2023) and Becoming a solicitor with the Legal Practice Course (transitional requirements) (updated 25 November 2025). Always verify against the current SRA published versions before relying on this information.