Hundreds of candidates who sat the first ever SQE2 exam will find out today if they are one step closer to qualifying as a solicitor.

The Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) will eventually replace the Legal Practice Course and came into force last September. Candidates must pass two sets of assessments – SQE1 and SQE2 – and complete two years of qualifying work experience.

The first SQE2 exam was held in April and candidates are expected to receive their results this morning.

SQE2 assesses client interview and attendance note, advocacy, case and matter analysis, legal research, legal writing and legal drafting in the areas of criminal litigation, dispute resolution, property practice, wills and intestacy, probate administration and practice, and business organisations rules and procedures.

As with SQE1, the Solicitors Regulation Authority is expected to publish detailed analysis of the results, including the overall pass rate.

Lucie Allen, managing director of training course provider BARBRI, said: ‘As the final exam element for the SQE, this is a historic moment for aspiring solicitors and the legal sector. We are proud to have been able to help the initial cohort of SQE2 candidates in taking the next step to becoming qualified solicitors.’

Allen encouraged candidates who have passed to now turn their attention to the qualifying work experience requirement.

As well as completing both sets of SQE assessments, candidates wanting to be admitted to the roll must complete at least two years’ full-time or equivalent qualifying work experience.

The SRA defines qualifying work experience as any experience of providing legal services that offers candidates the opportunity to develop some or all of the competencies needed to practise as a solicitor.