One of the most reassuring features of the SQE route is how broadly Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) is defined. Unpaid legal work, pro bono, and volunteering at a law clinic or advice charity can all count, in exactly the same way as paid work. For many candidates this opens up experience they assumed would never qualify. This guide explains when volunteering counts, what the SRA requires, and how to get it confirmed.
Paid or unpaid does not matter
The SRA does not distinguish between paid and unpaid work when it comes to QWE. What matters is the substance of what you did, not whether you were paid for it. Volunteering, pro bono work and unpaid placements all count provided they meet the same conditions as any other QWE: the work involved providing genuine legal services, and it gave you exposure to at least two of the competences in the Statement of Solicitor Competence.
The kinds of volunteering that qualify
A wide range of unpaid roles can demonstrate qualifying competences:
- University law clinics, where you advise real clients under supervision.
- Citizens Advice and similar advice services, where you give legal information and assist with cases.
- Pro bono projects run through firms, charities or law schools.
- Legal volunteering at charities and not-for-profits, including advice lines and casework.
- Free Representation Unit and similar bodies, where you prepare and present cases.
In each case the question is the same: were you providing genuine legal services and exercising legal skills, or were you doing general administrative or support work? Reception duties or purely clerical tasks do not qualify on their own, but advising clients, drafting documents, researching law and managing matters do.
Volunteering can be combined with other experience
You do not need to accumulate the full two years through volunteering alone, although you can. QWE can be made up of up to four placements, so a stint at a law clinic can be combined with paid work, an internship, or other experience to reach the two-year minimum. Each placement is assessed on the same basis and the total has to add up to at least two years full-time or the equivalent.
Getting volunteering confirmed
Volunteering is confirmed the same way as any other QWE. An independent solicitor who did not supervise you can confirm the experience by reviewing your evidence and obtaining feedback from the person who oversaw your volunteering, such as a clinic supervisor or charity coordinator. That supervisor does not need to be a qualified solicitor. This is particularly useful for clinic and charity settings, where a qualified solicitor is not always available to do the confirmation in-house.
A university law clinic volunteer
You advised clients on housing and employment issues under supervision. That is genuine legal work demonstrating several competences, and it can be confirmed as part of your QWE.
A Citizens Advice volunteer
You handled cases, gave advice and drafted letters for clients. The substance qualifies, and a supervisor's feedback supports independent confirmation.
Pro bono alongside a paid role
Your paid job covers some competences, and regular pro bono work covers others. Combined across placements, they can make up your qualifying experience.
Frequently asked questions
Does unpaid work really count the same as paid work?
Yes. The SRA does not distinguish between paid and unpaid experience. The test is the substance of the work and the competences it demonstrates.
Does volunteering at a law clinic qualify?
It can, where you are providing genuine legal services such as advising clients, drafting and researching, rather than only doing administrative tasks.
Can I reach two years entirely through volunteering?
Yes, if the volunteering adds up to the equivalent of two years full-time and meets the requirements. It can also be combined with paid work across up to four placements.
Who confirms volunteering experience?
An independent solicitor can confirm it using feedback from your volunteering supervisor, who does not need to be a qualified solicitor.
How do I prove what I did as a volunteer?
Evidence can include a record of your responsibilities, examples of your work, a reference from your supervisor, or details of the matters you handled. We can talk through what you have.
What to do now
If you have done unpaid legal work and are not sure whether it counts, it is worth having it assessed. Tell us about the work using our short form, and we will respond within 24 hours with whether it is likely to qualify, which competences apply, and how confirmation would work, with no obligation and no payment.