Live Career Guidance Webinar : Qualifying as a Solicitor or Barrister in England & Wales

For Sri Lankan Law Students, Graduates and Sri Lankan Qualified Legal Professionals

Are you a Sri Lankan law student, graduate, or legal professional considering a legal career in the United Kingdom?

The Association of Sri Lankan Lawyers in the UK invites you to attend an exclusive online career guidance session designed to provide clear and practical guidance on the modern pathways to qualifying as a Solicitor or Barrister in England and Wales.

This interactive webinar will bring together a distinguished panel of King’s Counsel, senior barristers, experienced solicitors, and solicitors who have recently qualified through the new pathways, offering both expert insight and first-hand experience of the qualification process.

Participants will also hear directly from representatives of the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and the Bar Standards Board (BSB), who will explain the regulatory framework and qualification requirements for aspiring lawyers.

In addition, leading SQE and Bar course providers will present information about their preparation programmes and training opportunities for international candidates seeking to qualify in the UK.

During the session, speakers will discuss key areas including:

• The SQE pathway to becoming a Solicitor, including SQE 1, SQE 2 and Qualifying Work Experience
• The traditional LPC route and training contracts
• The Barrister pathway, including the Bar Practice Course, Inns of Court and Pupillage
• Exemptions and regulatory requirements for foreign-qualified lawyers
• Practical insights into building a successful legal career in the UK

Webinar Details:

🗓  Date: 27 March 2026

🕙 Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (UK Time)

💻 Platform: Microsoft Teams

 

Register through the link below to join the webinar. Once you have registered, a Microsoft Teams meeting link will be sent to you.

We look forward to welcoming you to this informative session and supporting your journey towards a legal career in England and Wales.

Session Agenda

Online Career Guidance Session- 27th March 2026

Pathways to Becoming a Solicitor or Barrister in England & Wales
For Sri Lankan Law Students, Graduates and Sri Lankan Qualified Legal Professionals
Platform: Online
Duration: 2 Hours – 10 am to 12 pm (UK Time)
Session 1: Pathways to becoming a Solicitor
Total Duration: 1 Hour

10 am Opening remarks and introducing the President of the Association of Sri Lankan Lawyers in the UK. Lee Karu KC (King’s Counsel)
Amasha De Alwis (Host -Newly qualified Solicitor)

10.05 am Welcome Address

The session will commence with formal opening remarks by Lee Karu KC. He will welcome participants and highlight the importance of understanding modern qualification pathways for Sri Lankan legal professionals seeking to practise in England and Wales.
Lee Karu, KC, President of the Association of Sri Lankan Lawyers in the UK

10.10 am Overview of the background structure of the SQE and explanation of academic requirements

➢ SQE 1 – Functioning Legal Knowledge
Discussion of the structure, subject areas, and assessment methodology of SQE 1, together with preparation strategies.
Fathima Sajeer (Newly qualified Solicitor)

10.20 am SQE 2 – Practical Legal Skills
Overview of the skills-based assessments, including advocacy, interviewing, drafting, research, and case analysis, with practical preparation guidance.

➢ Solicitor Advocates and Higher Rights of Audience and the role of a Solicitor
This section will introduce the concept of solicitor advocates. Participants will learn how solicitors can expand their rights of audience to appear in higher courts through obtaining Higher Rights of Audience (HRA).
Amasha De Alwis

10.30 am Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) & Professional Development
Practical guidance on:
• The two-year QWE requirement
• Flexibility of completing QWE across up to four organisations
• Supervisory responsibilities and competency sign-off
• Strategic career planning for international candidates
• Employability insights and workplace expectations in UK legal practice

Moshin Ariff (Senior Solicitor)

10.35 am SQE Course Provider
Course structure, fees, delivery format, pass rates, and intake schedules, preparation method, Specialised support for foreign-qualified lawyers, bridging preparation, and exam-focused training approach.

Ben Davis QLTS Representative

10.40 am SQE Exemptions – Who May Qualify and How to Apply – 10 min
Overview of:
• Partial and full exemptions
• Eligibility criteria for foreign-qualified lawyers
• Required supporting documentation
• Strategic considerations and application timelines
• continuing competence
Chris Young Solicitors Regulation Authority- SRA

10.55 am The LPC Route to Qualification

The structure of the LPC will be explained, including core modules, electives, and practical skills components. The concept of a training contract will be examined, including its structured two-year format and how it differs from QWE.
Nipunie Wijesundara Trainee Solicitor

Session 2 – Qualifying as a Barrister in England & Wales

Duration: 1 Hour
11 am Opening remarks and introducing Aswini Weereratne KC (King’s Counsel)

Nishan Paramjorthy Host -Senior Barrister

11.05 am A Barrister’s Professional Journey
Ashwini KC will share her personal professional journey to becoming a King’s Counsel. She will reflect on her experiences at the Bar, the challenges she encountered along the way, and the key milestones that shaped her legal career.

Aswini Weereratne, KC

11.10 am Introduction to the Barrister Profession
Nishan will welcome the speakers and provide a brief introduction to the seminar. This segment will also present an overview of the barrister’s role, including advocacy, court representation, providing legal opinions, and specialist advisory work.
The structure of self-employed practice within chambers will be explained, alongside opportunities for employed barristers within organisations such as the Crown Prosecution Service, government departments, and regulatory bodies.

Nishan Paramjorthy Senior Barrister

11.20 am The Academic Stage
This section will explain the academic pathway required to qualify as a barrister. It will cover the requirement of a qualifying law degree (LLB) or completion of a law conversion course such as the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) or an equivalent qualification.
The importance of strong academic performance, extracurricular activities, and early engagement with advocacy-related opportunities will also be highlighted, given the highly competitive nature of entry to the Bar.
Amita Puvindran Graduate Diploma Law (GDL) Student

11.25 am The Vocational Stage – Bar Practice Course (BPC)
This segment will provide a detailed overview of the Bar Practice Course (BPC). Key components of the course will be discussed, including:
• Advocacy training
• Civil litigation and criminal litigation
• Legal drafting
• Opinion writing
• Conference skills
• Professional ethics

The assessment structure of the course will also be explained, with particular focus on practical advocacy training and how students are evaluated on courtroom performance and professional competence.

Nimansa Thalduwa Pupil Barrister

11.35 am Inns of Court and Scholarships
This section will explain the requirement for aspiring barristers to join one of the four Inns of Court and complete the necessary qualifying sessions prior to being called to the Bar.
The session will also discuss scholarship opportunities and financial support offered by the Inns, along with guidance on preparing strong scholarship applications.

Harshaka Kannangara (Senior Barrister)

11.40 am Pupillage

Participants will receive a comprehensive explanation of pupillage, the final stage of training to become a practising barrister.
Topics will include:
• The two-stage structure of pupillage (non-practising and practising periods)
• The Pupillage Gateway application process
• The competitive nature of securing pupillage
Practical advice will be provided on strengthening applications through mini-pupillages, mooting experience, legal research, and other relevant professional experiences.

Lee Karu KC

11.50 am Interactive Q&A – Solicitor Route Vs Barrister Route
The session will conclude with an interactive question and answer segment, allowing participants to engage directly with the speakers and the Panel

The Panel members

Prasad Palihawadana – Senior Solicitor
Selva Sathananthan – Senior Solicitor
Janaka Siriwardena – Senior Barrister
Harshaka Kannangara –Senior Barrister

12 pm Closing remarks
Puvindran Masilamany – Senior Solicitor -General Secretary of the Association of Sri Lankan Lawyers in the UK