Qualifying as a solicitor in England and Wales, from Pakistan.
A growing number of Pakistan-qualified lawyers sit the SQE1. This page sets out, plainly and with sources, what the route actually involves.
QLTS is closed. SQE is the route now.
The former Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme (QLTS) closed to new registrations in September 2021. Its last multiple choice test sat in 2021, and its last OSCE sat in 2022. It is no longer a live pathway. The current route for a foreign-qualified lawyer, including one qualified in Pakistan, is the SQE, generally alongside an application for qualified lawyer exemptions where they apply.
Most foreign-qualified lawyers still sit the SQE1
An exemption from SQE2 does not, on its own, remove the need to sit SQE1. Whether any particular jurisdiction sits on the SRA's list of agreed exemptions changes over time and should always be checked directly on the SRA's website before you rely on it. We do not repeat a jurisdiction list here, because it is exactly the kind of detail that goes out of date. What is consistent across the market is that candidates from a wide range of jurisdictions, including Pakistan, prepare for and sit SQE1 regardless of their SQE2 position.
The exemption application, separately from SQE1
Qualified lawyers can apply to the SRA for exemptions from parts of the assessment, and separately from the Qualifying Work Experience requirement, on the strength of their existing qualification and experience. This is a distinct application with its own fee, decision timeline and evidence requirements, set by the SRA. Check the SRA's current guidance for qualified lawyers before applying, since fees and timelines are updated from time to time.
What we do not claim
We do not publish a specific figure for how many Pakistani lawyers sit the SQE1, because no regulator or professional body currently publishes one. The SRA's own published research breaks candidates down by several demographic categories but not by country of qualification. Any number you see quoted elsewhere for this specific figure is not sourced from the regulator.
Study in PKR
The full course, priced for Pakistan-based candidates.
Questions from Pakistan-qualified candidates
Is QLTS still a route to qualifying from Pakistan?
No. The Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme (QLTS) closed to new registrations in September 2021. Its last multiple choice test sat in 2021 and its last OSCE sat in 2022. It is no longer a live pathway; the SQE is the current route for a foreign-qualified lawyer.
If I get an SQE2 exemption, do I still need to sit SQE1?
In most cases, yes. An exemption from SQE2 does not, on its own, remove the need to sit SQE1, and candidates from a wide range of jurisdictions, including Pakistan, prepare for and sit SQE1 regardless of their SQE2 position.
Is Pakistan on the SRA's agreed-exemption jurisdiction list?
This changes over time and should always be checked directly on the SRA's website before you rely on it. We do not repeat a jurisdiction list on this page, because it is exactly the kind of detail that goes out of date.
Is pricing available in PKR?
Yes. Pakistan-based candidates can view Standard and Premium pricing in PKR rather than GBP.
How do I actually pay from Pakistan?
By card, through Stripe, in PKR, the same recurring monthly or three-month billing as everywhere else. There is no separate bank-transfer process: you subscribe in-app and can cancel any time from Account settings.
How many Pakistani lawyers sit the SQE1?
We do not publish a specific figure, because no regulator or professional body currently publishes one. Any number quoted elsewhere for this specific figure is not sourced from the regulator.