Linklaters will support five refugees through SQE

Five refugees are due to sit the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) in September with the support of magic circle firm Linklaters.

The firm has partnered with refugee employment charity Breaking Barriers, and education and training provider BARBRI Global to offer a fully funded SQE course, in a move designed to increase accessibility to the legal profession.

Aspiring criminal lawyer Ali (not his real name), who is originally from Bangladesh, is due to start the course in July. He told The Times that he had been receiving advice from Breaking Barriers and told them that he wanted to become a lawyer. He adds: “As my English was good, they suggested that I apply for this programme.” Ali was granted asylum in 2015. Candidates from Turkey, Pakistan, Ethiopia and Iraq are also due to take the SQE in September.

Linklaters Partner Mark Drury says: “Our partnership with BARBRI and Breaking Barriers will help open up access to the legal profession in the UK for individuals from a refugee background who might have otherwise faced financial and other barriers.”