Swiss lawyers
23 January 2025
If you wish to become a solicitor of England and Wales, there are four possible routes to admission as a Swiss lawyer.
The agreement for the recognition of professional qualifications came into force in the UK on 1 January 2025. This means that lawyers holding a covered Swiss legal title (Avocat, Advokat, Rechtsanwalt, Anwalt, Fürsprecher, Fürsprech or Avvocato) have two additional ways to qualify as a solicitor.
Aptitude test route – if you have at least 24 months' legal work experience
To qualify through the aptitude test route, you must pass SQE1 and SQE2. However, if you have at least 24 months' work experience (part of and/or post-qualification), we will recognise this, and you will not need to take SQE2. Find out more about qualifying through aptitude test route.
Adaptation period route – if you do not have 24 months' legal work experience and want to do three years' supervised practise
To qualify through the adaptation period, you must register with us as a registered Swiss lawyer and undertake three years' supervised practise in the law of England and Wales. Find out more about qualifying through adaptation period route.
SQE route – if you do not have 24 months' legal work experience
Qualify through the SQE route means you will need to pass both SQE assessments, as well as meet our other requirements. Find out more about qualifying through the SQE.
Registered European lawyer (REL) route
This option is only available to existing RELS were already registered on or before 31 December 2024 (or those who apply by this date and go on to become registered). Find out more about the REL route.
If you wish to practise in England and Wales without becoming a solicitor, there are two options for you.
Practising under your home professional title and not regulated by us
As a qualified lawyer, you can practise the law of your home jurisdiction, international and European Union law under your home professional title, as permitted by your jurisdiction's law. This can be either on a temporary or permanent basis without any further registration or qualification requirements.
You cannot provide any reserved legal services in English and Wales. However, you can provide unreserved services, unless such services have specific additional regulatory requirements (for example, immigration work and claims management activities). You do not need to be registered with us or another legal services regulator to do this.
Practising as a registered foreign lawyer
You can become a registered foreign lawyer (RFL) at any time. An RFL can be a manager or owner of an SRA-regulated law firm and can provide unreserved legal services. However, you cannot practise as a sole practitioner or be the only lawyer in a business that is authorised as a recognised body. Find out more about being an RFL.