Jessica Jarvis

How I Qualified as a Solicitor via the SRA’s Equivalent Means Route

The legal profession is intensely competitive—and nowhere is that more apparent than in the battle for training contracts. Each year, around 30,000 aspiring solicitors apply for just 5,500 available contracts. That’s more than 5.5 applicants for every single place, according to AllAboutLaw. The odds are stacked against even the most capable and committed candidates.

Many fall into limbo; qualified academically after completing the LPC, but unable to progress further. Some give up. Others spend years in paralegal roles, waiting for an opportunity that may never materialise.

I chose a different path.

I qualified as a solicitor through the SRA Equivalent Means Route, a lesser-known but fully regulated alternative to the traditional training contract. I built a detailed portfolio of my legal work, mapped it against the SRA’s Practice Skills Standards, and submitted it for formal assessment. The result? I was admitted to the roll without ever securing a training contract.

This article is for those who are where I once was; capable, motivated, and ready to practise law, but blocked by an outdated bottleneck. If that’s you, this is your roadmap.

My application was described by the SRA’s independent assessor as:

“This is in my opinion an excellent application… a classic example of ‘less is more’ and ‘quality not quantity’…

The narrative of the assessment tables is one of the most succinct I have read, yet it has, combined with the excellent work samples, provided far more information than is often the case with these applications.”

“The Applicant displays the skills and knowledge that I would expect to see of a Solicitor and certainly well above those of someone about to complete a PRT… I am happy to recommend approval of the application and take this opportunity of wishing the Applicant all the best in her future endeavours.”

This article explains exactly what I did, how to do it yourself, the mistakes to avoid, and why this route is still a viable (and sometimes better) path to qualification.

What is the Equivalent Means Route?

The Equivalent Means route is a formal mechanism under Regulation 3A.2 of the SRA Authorisation of Individuals Regulations. It allows the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) to waive the requirement to complete a traditional Period of Recognised Training (PRT), commonly known as a training contract, if the applicant can demonstrate they have achieved the same standard of competence through alternative legal work and training.

Legal basis:
Regulation 3A.2 states the SRA “may decide that it is satisfied that [an applicant] has completed all or any part of the academic stage of training or the vocational stage of training by equivalent means.”

In essence, this means that if you can prove—through documented, supervised experience—that you’ve developed the same skills, behaviours, and competencies expected of a trainee solicitor, the SRA can formally recognise that experience as equivalent to a two-year training contract.

What Does the Application Involve?

To qualify under this route, you must submit a structured portfolio of evidence showing that your legal work experience satisfies all 13 practice skills that would normally be developed during a training contract.

Your portfolio must demonstrate:

1. Real legal work – not administrative tasks, but actual case handling, client care, drafting, research, and decision-making.
2. Supervision – your work must have been directly overseen by a qualified solicitor or equivalent professional.
3. Reflection and growth – show how you developed over time, responded to feedback, and improved your competence.
4. Coverage of all 13 SRA Practice Skills – ranging from oral advocacy to ethics, legal research, drafting, negotiation, and case management.

Your evidence must be:

• Clear, well-organised, and specific
• Supported by supervisory references
• Mapped directly to each skill and sub-outcome
• Anchored in real legal situations, not hypothetical or academic scenarios

What Happens Once You Apply?

After submission through your MySRA account:

• The application is assigned to an independent external assessor (a qualified legal professional)
• Your documents are reviewed for quality, coherence, and evidential strength
• The assessor makes a recommendation to the Authorisation Officer
• The SRA’s decision is based on:
  • The assessor’s report
  • Your evidence
  • Your supervisor’s statement
  • The regulatory requirements in Reg. 3A.2 and 4.1 of the Education, Training and Assessment Provider Regulations

If successful:

✅ You are exempted from the PRT
✅ Your name goes forward for formal admission as a solicitor
✅ You are treated no differently than someone who qualified via the traditional route

📢 As confirmed in my own decision letter:
“There is a clear alignment between the experience evidenced within the application and the work performed by a trainee within a PRT… The applicant’s performance and experience are more than equivalent.”

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My Path: A Snapshot

• LPC completed: 2020 (Commendation)
• Experience: 2+ years full-time as a paralegal in Court of Protection law
• Firms: Irwin Mitchell LLP, later Paris Smith LLP
• Supervision: Same qualified solicitor throughout
• Portfolio: 80+ documents, 13 mapped skills, written evidence matrix
• Outcome: Application granted in full; assessor highly commended the clarity, complexity and quality of work

I did not rotate through seats. I stayed within one practice area, demonstrating the full range of skills through complex, evolving casework. And that’s a key point: depth of experience in one area can absolutely substitute for breadth across several.

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🛠 How to Do It – Step-by-Step

1. Meet the Eligibility Criteria

You must have:

• Completed the LPC
• Completed (or be near to completing) the PSC
• At least two years of relevant, supervised legal work
• A qualified solicitor or CILEX supervisor
• A role where you’re genuinely developing legal competencies – not just admin

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2. Understand the SRA’s 13 Practice Skills

These aren’t just technical abilities, they include ethical standards, client care, self-management, and commercial awareness.

Each skill has multiple sub-elements. For example:

Skill 1: Advocacy and Oral Presentation

• 1.1: Prepare and organise facts and law to support argument
• 1.2: Reference legal authority appropriately
• 1.3: Respond to questions, present persuasively

You must evidence the umbrella skill, not just tick off the subsections.

🔍 Tip: I explore how to adequately address the umbrella skill in the skills metric further down in this article.

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3. Map Your Experience

Build an assessment table explaining:

• What skill was demonstrated and how
• Where (firm, case type, date)
• How you achieved it
• Which documents you’re submitting as evidence

For full guidance on how to complete your Assessment Table, including the specific skills and sub-outcomes you’ll need to evidence, the SRA’s official information pack is available here: https://www.sra.org.uk/become-solicitor/legal-practice-course-route/equivalent-means-information-pack/exemptions/period-recognised-training/

To provide practical insight beyond the official guidance, I’ve also uploaded a copy of my own Assessment Table, submitted to and approved by the SRA in 2021. It serves as a model of the level of detail, clarity, and structure expected—showing how to justify each sub-outcome succinctly while still evidencing depth and complexity.

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4. Gather Quality Evidence

Examples include:

• Attendance notes
• Letters of advice
• Court applications or bundles
• Internal training materials you created
• Appraisals
• Supervisor testimonials

📌 Key Tip: Less is more. My assessor praised the succinct nature of my application:

“Combined with excellent work samples, it provided more insight than applications three times as long.”

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5. Obtain a Strong Reference

Your supervisor’s reference is not a mere formality—it is a critical part of your application. The SRA relies heavily on this testimonial to validate the authenticity, supervision, and developmental rigour of your work. The reference should be clear, specific, and supportive, ideally written by a solicitor (or appropriately qualified legal professional) who directly oversaw your work throughout the experience you’re relying on.

Below is a breakdown of what the reference must include; with model language drawn from a successful application.

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✅ A. Confirm Direct Supervision

Your referee must:

• Clearly state they directly supervised you
• Provide the dates of that supervision
• Describe the frequency and nature of that supervision (e.g. file reviews, 1:1s, ongoing collaboration)

📝 Example Wording:

“Jess works on many cases where I am the Court-appointed Deputy… Jess will report to me on the matter and her findings and we will agree an action plan and scope of her role and the role of others.”

This demonstrates not only active oversight, but also collaborative responsibility for high-stakes legal matters.

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✅ B. Attest to the Application Contents

Your supervisor must:

• Confirm they have read your full Assessment Table and supporting documents
• State that they are satisfied with its accuracy and truthfulness
• Corroborate that the examples given in your application reflect your actual work

📝 Suggested Wording:

“I have reviewed the applicant’s submission in full and confirm that the matters described accurately reflect my direct observation of her work. I am satisfied that the content meets the standard expected under the Practice Skills framework.”

(Note: this wording should be included even if the rest of the reference is glowing – failure to state this explicitly may delay your application.)

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✅ C. Refer to SRA Practice Skills and Principles

Your referee should demonstrate awareness of the regulatory framework by referencing specific SRA skills and principles, such as:

• Honesty and integrity
• Acting in the client’s best interests
• Communication
• Drafting
• Business awareness
• Professional judgment

📝 Example Wording:

“Jess acts with honesty and integrity… she may tell a client that a certain piece of work could be done for a lesser price elsewhere… She always ensures her role in the firm does not contravene the client’s best interests.”

“Jess has an excellent understanding of the legal framework, codes and regulations. This enables the inner confidence to challenge any party if she is not 100% happy with a proposed outcome.”

These passages directly support Skills 11.1 (Ethics and Integrity), 5.3 (Client Expectations), and Principle 2 of the SRA Code (Acting with integrity).

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✅ D. Include Observed, Practical Examples

The reference must contain first-hand examples of your work that demonstrate:

• Application of legal knowledge
• Planning and case management
• Delegation and teamwork
• Communication under pressure
• Ethical or commercial judgment

📝 Example Wording:

“Jess ensures court bundles are easy to understand, well put together, and that each party has appropriate documents ready for the hearing… she deals with unforeseen circumstances calmly and ensures the best interests of the client are taken into account.”

“She has had to deal with litigants in person, who then instructed solicitors for 1 day, only to find that the solicitors had been disinstructed… Jess dealt with such situations in a calm and effective manner.”

These are ideal for demonstrating Skills 1 (Advocacy), 2 (Dispute Resolution), and 3 (Case Management), while also reinforcing professionalism and adaptability.

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✅ E. Confirm Competence and Readiness to Practise

The strongest references include a clear statement that the applicant is ready to be admitted as a solicitor, having consistently performed at or above the level of a trainee.

📝 Example Wording:

“Jess works with a project management methodology… ensuring milestones of each matter are prioritised and met. This discipline ensures timely and accurate communications with all parties and gives her colleagues and clients a feeling of complete confidence that Jess has the whole suite of activities under control.”

“Jess is diligent in ensuring the rules are upheld… absolutely stringent in ensuring costs are accurate and done by the appropriate person… She always does the necessary follow up to ensure processes and actions are fully completed.”

This goes beyond technical competence to demonstrate professional maturity; a key factor in SRA decision-making.

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📎 Final Checklist for Your Supervisor Reference

Before submission, make sure your reference:

• Confirms direct supervision and dates
• States the referee has read and endorses your application
• Refers to specific SRA Practice Skills and/or Principles
• Includes direct, observed examples of your work
• Endorses your professional readiness to practise

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✅F. Submit via MySRA

Once your portfolio is complete, submit your application through your MySRA account. You’ll need to upload the following:

• Your Application Form
• Your Assessment Table
• An Index of Supporting Evidence (clearly listing all documents, dates, and linked outcomes)
• A PDF or Zip File containing your supporting documents (keep it under the size limit—use compressed folders if needed)
• At least one detailed Supervisor Reference (meeting the SRA’s strict criteria)
• Proof of Qualifications (LLB, LPC, and PSC certificates)
• Payment of the £600 assessor fee

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What Happens Next?

Once you’ve uploaded your full application through MySRA, the process begins—but not with a pass/fail judgment. The initial review is an opportunity for the SRA to ensure your application is structurally sound and ready for formal assessment. Here’s what to expect:

Step 1: Internal Review by an SRA Authorisation Officer

Your application is first reviewed in-house—usually by someone from the Authorisation team (not the final assessor). This review is not about whether you qualify yet—it’s about ensuring your documents are:

• Clear and complete
• Properly mapped to the Practice Skills Standards
• Supported by adequate evidence
• Compliant with all procedural requirements (e.g. valid references, signed documents)

They will not assess the substance of your legal work, but they will flag anything that could prevent a fair or informed assessment.

Step 2: Feedback and Opportunity to Strengthen

If the Authorisation Officer spots areas that are:

• Too vague (e.g. unclear appraisal arrangements)
• Underdeveloped (e.g. only one example per outcome instead of two)
• Non-compliant (e.g. a reference that doesn’t confirm it covers your whole application)
  they will email you with guidance to improve your submission.

You will usually be given:

• A list of the issues to address
• A suggested deadline (typically 14 days) to submit additional evidence or clarification
• Contact details in case you need longer or have questions

🧠 This is your opportunity to improve your application, not a rejection.
Many successful applicants (myself included) were invited to refine their evidence before assessment.

Step 3: Formal Assessment by an Independent External Assessor

Once your application passes the initial quality review, it is passed to a legally qualified, independent assessor. This person:

• Reviews your application in full
• Evaluates your experience against each of the 13 Practice Skills
• Considers the quality and credibility of your evidence
• Writes a formal recommendation report for the SRA decision-maker

The assessor will determine whether your experience is functionally equivalent to a Period of Recognised Training.

If successful, the Authorisation Officer will adopt their recommendation and approve your exemption from the training contract requirement.

🧠 Good to know:
The SRA wants you to pass—so long as you meet the standard. They are not looking to catch you out. If your work shows substance and potential but needs tightening, they will give you that chance. The first review is more like a quality control checkpoint, not a pass/fail exam.

⏳ Total processing time: 6–12 weeks from final submission
📬 Tip: Keep an eye on your email during this time—be ready to respond promptly if they request more detail.

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⚠️ Common Pitfalls to Avoid

❌ Submitting too much documentation

A 300-page annex doesn’t help if it’s not clearly linked. The assessor can’t “find the story” for you.

❌ Failing to map evidence to the umbrella skill

E.g. a brilliant attendance note under “Drafting” won’t count under “Advocacy,” even if it’s well-written.

❌ Not demonstrating supervision and appraisals

These are non-negotiable. The SRA must see proof of structured oversight and feedback.

❌ Only showing “tasks”—not skills

Don’t just say “I drafted an application.” Say how you evaluated risk, presented persuasive arguments, and considered ethical issues.

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🔍 Final Words from My SRA Assessor:

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Understanding “Umbrella Skills” in the SRA Equivalent Means Application

Each of the 13 Practice Skills is an umbrella competency. It’s not enough to simply check off the sub-outcomes—you need to demonstrate that the overall skill has been achieved. Think of each skill like a tree: the sub-points are branches, but the assessor is judging the whole tree.

If you only prove a branch, but it doesn’t belong to the right tree—your evidence may fail entirely under that section.

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📍Example 1: Dispute Resolution

Umbrella Skill – SRA Practice Skill 2: Dispute Resolution

2.1 – Ability to obtain relevant facts
2.2 – Develop and advise on relevant options, strategies and solutions
2.3 – Plan, manage, and progress legal cases

🛑 Common Error:
Submitting a research memo for sub-section 2.1 where you looked up case law on a topic—but there was no actual dispute, no competing parties, no strategy or resolution context.

✔️ Why It Fails:
You’re evidencing research capability, not dispute resolution. If you don’t show competing parties, conflict, negotiation, client strategy, or resolution goals—you’re not meeting the umbrella skill.

✅ Better Fit: Move that evidence to Skill 9: Legal Research

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🟢 How to Do It Right:
Submit a case where:

• You were investigating a disagreement between parties (e.g. client vs local authority)
• You gathered facts from both perspectives
• You used that information to propose strategy
• You perhaps drafted a position statement or mediation summary

🎁 Bonus: If, during that dispute, you had to research a statutory framework (e.g. Continuing Healthcare funding or s.21A applications)—you can cross-reference that evidence for both:

• 2.1 (Dispute Resolution) – because you gathered and managed contested facts
• 9.1 (Legal Research) – because you researched the law to support resolution strategy

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📍Example 2: Advocacy vs Drafting

Umbrella Skill – SRA Skill 1: Advocacy and Oral Presentation

1.1 – Prepare effectively, identify and master facts and legal principles
1.2 – Use legal authority appropriately
1.3 – Present argument persuasively

🛑 Common Error:
Submitting a well-written witness statement under “Advocacy” simply because it’s technically sound or formatted well.

✔️ Why It Fails:
Drafting a document—no matter how cleanly written—does not automatically demonstrate advocacy. If the statement is procedural or evidential only (e.g. summarising chronology, reporting facts), it may demonstrate Skill 7: Drafting, but not advocacy.

To meet Skill 1, the statement must:

• Be written in a persuasive tone, with deliberate structure, legal references, and argument
• Be part of a dispute, hearing, or contested process
• Actively advance or defend your client’s legal position

🟢 How to Do It Right:
Only use a witness statement for Advocacy if:

• It was prepared with strategic intent (e.g. to challenge an opposing position, influence the court, or support a legal application)
• You used tone, structure, and content to persuade
• It was tied to a hearing, tribunal, mediation, or disputed application

🎁 Bonus: If your witness statement is truly strategic, you can absolutely use it to demonstrate multiple skills, such as:

• 2. Dispute Resolution (if it helped identify and respond to opposing views)
• 1. Advocacy and Oral Presentation
• 7. Drafting
• 10. Negotiation (if it led to settlement or narrowed issues)

Remember:
The SRA would far rather see a smaller number of excellent, strategically relevant documents than a bloated submission with one file per skill. A single, well-argued, high-stakes witness statement can be more valuable than five separate documents with narrow utility.

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🧰 Practical Takeaway

When mapping your experience to the SRA’s Practice Skills:

1. Start with the skill title — not just the sub-outcomes Ask: What is the core function of this skill? What is the SRA actually testing here—legal ability, judgment, client strategy, ethical reasoning, or something else?
2. Then read the sub-outcomes in context Every sub-point exists to support the umbrella skill. If your evidence meets a sub-point but not the overall skill, it may not be valid.
3. Avoid forcing a document to fit where it doesn’t belong If your letter is excellent but doesn’t show persuasion, don’t wedge it under “Advocacy.” You’re better off relocating it to a skill it truly reflects (like Drafting or Client Care).
4. Leverage strong evidence across multiple skills—but only where justified The SRA encourages applicants to submit fewer, stronger pieces of evidence that demonstrate multiple competencies in a meaningful, integrated way. A well-drafted client letter, for example, could demonstrate:
   • Communication (Skill 4)
   • Client care and expectation management (Skill 5)
   • Drafting (Skill 7)
   • Ethical reasoning (Skill 11), depending on the content