Surviving the SQE while working full-time

On 28 June 2025 at Irwin Mitchell LLP, something quietly powerful happened. A room full of internationally qualified lawyers sat down and got real about what it actually takes to pass the SQE while holding down a full-time job.

This was the latest session in our International Legal Evenings series, hosted by the Westminster & Holborn Law Society’s International Committee, a series I’m proud to lead. And this particular topic is one I wish had been spoken about more openly when I was going through it myself.

As I always say, passing the SQE isn’t just about learning English law. For foreign-qualified lawyers, it’s about managing time, switching between legal systems, learning new terminology, and trying to stay afloat while your identity as a lawyer is quietly being reshaped.

Our brilliant speakers — Hugo Bittencourt (Irwin Mitchell), Milly van Beyere (Geldards LLP) and Rhea Yu (Thornhill Legal)— didn’t hold back. They shared the highs and lows of the journey: burnout, time management, mental health, failed attempts, and the odd “what am I doing?” moment. Some found comfort in socialising. Others in complete isolation. And all of them reminded us that the SQE is not just an exam, it’s a test of resilience.

But the message was clear: it can be done. And no one should do it alone.

Lawyers cross-qualifying via the SQE bring more than just dual legal knowledge, they offer a depth of experience and perspective that rarely shows up on a CV. Many of us have trained in another system, adapted to a new legal and cultural environment, and balanced study with full-time work, often in a second language. If you're hiring, mentoring, or walking this path yourself, pay attention: the SQE is shaping a generation of cross-border lawyers who are as tough as they are talented.

Thank you to Irwin Mitchell for hosting us so warmly. And to every reader — let’s keep the conversation going. Let’s keep embracing the complexity, the humanity, and the brilliance of practising law across borders! ■

By Marta Sánchez Merino

A room full of internationally qualified lawyers sat down and got real about what it actually takes to pass the SQE while holding down a full-time job.