In 2025 the Government announced that funding towards Level 7 apprenticeships would be reduced from January 2026. This withdrew funding for those over 22 years of age, or over 25 if care leavers, who were aiming to qualify as a solicitor through the Level 7/SQE apprenticeship.

That severely impacted non-traditional routes to legal qualification along with HF’s commitment to social mobility and the belief that there should be more than one way to a achieve a successful legal career.

Our People Development Team consulted with key SQE apprenticeship providers and are happy to confirm the start of a partnership with a new provider, the University of Law (ULAW), who will be offering SQE qualification, at no cost to applicants. Effectively providing the same potential for qualification as was previously offered to individuals who choose an apprenticeship route.

Without this determination to find an alternative, those wishing to qualify would have had to either enter a traditional training contract agreement or self-fund. And traditional training contracts will not be available to those who started an undergraduate course later than September 2022 following the Government’s decision to phase out the LPC.

This new option from HF and ULAW provides the benefit of an apprenticeship format combining work with study days – at zero cost to apprentices. The course will be for law graduates and those with a Post Graduate Degree in Law and will include the SQE preparation course and exams. This route sits alongside our existing offering in partnership with BPP.

Oliver Bate, Chief People Officer said, “This course, alongside our existing offering with BPP, allows HF to keep providing a competitive, alternative route to qualification which most firms in the sector won’t be able to replicate. We’re proud of our apprentices and the skills, talent and diversity of thought that they bring to our organisation.”

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