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Non-Qualified Persons

FOR NON-QUALIFIED PERSONS

E-Solicitors Legal Services Marketplace

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Ineligibility Notice and Guidance​

For Persons Without Legal Qualifications

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Version 1.0 - January 2026

England and Wales

Critical Notice​

  • YOU CANNOT REGISTER AS A LEGAL SERVICE PROVIDER ON THIS PLATFORM

This Document Applies If You Are:

  • NOT a solicitor qualified in England and Wales

  • NOT a barrister called to the Bar of England and Wales

  • NOT a Registered Foreign Lawyer (RFL) registered with the SRA

  • NOT a Registered European Lawyer (REL) registered with the SRA

  • NOT qualified in ANY legal jurisdiction

  • NOT authorised by an approved regulator to provide reserved legal activities

Key Points You Must Understand

  • You CANNOT register on this Platform as a provider of legal services.

  • Providing reserved legal activities without authorisation is a CRIMINAL OFFENCE.

  • Holding yourself out as a solicitor when you are not is a CRIMINAL OFFENCE.

  • This Platform is for QUALIFIED legal professionals only.

What You CAN Do

  • Register as a CLIENT/BUYER to find and instruct qualified legal professionals

  • Work as a paralegal or legal assistant UNDER SUPERVISION of qualified lawyers

  • Pursue qualification through approved routes (SQE, Bar, etc.)

  • Work in non-reserved legal roles that do not require authorisation

Contents​

Part A: Ineligibility for Provider Registration​

  1. Prohibition on Non-Qualified Provider Registration

  2. Who IS Eligible to Provide Legal Services

  3. Platform Verification Requirements

  1. The Legal Services Act 2007

  2. Reserved Legal Activities

  3. Criminal Offences

  4. Approved Regulators

Part C: What Non-qualified Persons Cannot Do​

  1. Prohibited Activities

  2. Prohibited Titles and Descriptions

  3. Consequences of Non-Compliance

Part D: What Non-qualified Persons Can Do​

  1. Registration as a Client/Buyer

  2. Working Under Supervision

  3. Unreserved Legal Activities

  4. Legal Support Roles

Part E: Routes to Qualification​

  1. Solicitor Qualification (SQE Route)

  2. Barrister Qualification (Bar Route)

  3. Other Legal Qualifications

  4. Foreign Lawyer Registration

Part F: Alternative Platform Use​

  1. Client/Buyer Registration

  2. Client Rights and Protections

  3. Consumer Protection

Part G: General Provisions​

  1. Misrepresentation

  2. Platform Rights

  3. Governing Law

Schedules​

Schedule 1: Who Can Provide Legal Services - Summary

Schedule 2: Reserved vs Unreserved Legal Activities

Schedule 3: Routes to Legal Qualification

Schedule 4: Legal Support Roles (Non-Qualified)

Part A: Ineligibility for Provider Registration​

  1. PROHIBITION ON NON-QUALIFIED PROVIDER REGISTRATION

1.1 The Platform DOES NOT accept provider registrations from persons who are not legally qualified.

1.2 You are NOT eligible to register as a legal service provider if you:

(a) Do not hold a current practising certificate as a solicitor of England and Wales;

(b) Have not been called to the Bar of England and Wales with a current practising certificate;

(c) Are not registered with the SRA as a Registered Foreign Lawyer (RFL);

(d) Are not registered with the SRA as a Registered European Lawyer (REL);

(e) Are not authorised by any approved regulator under the Legal Services Act 2007;

(f) Do not hold any legal qualification in any jurisdiction;

(g) Have had your practising certificate suspended, revoked, or not renewed;

(h) Have been struck off the Roll of Solicitors or disbarred.

1.3 This prohibition applies regardless of:

(a) Your level of legal knowledge or experience;

(b) Any law degree or legal qualification you may hold;

(c) Any paralegal experience you may have;

(d) Any previous legal qualification that has lapsed;

(e) Any application for qualification currently in progress.

  • A law degree (LLB, GDL, LLM) does NOT authorise you to provide legal services. You must complete professional qualification and be regulated.

2.1 The following ARE eligible to register as legal service providers:

Category

Regulator

Practising Certificate Required

Solicitors (England & Wales)

SRA

Yes

Barristers (England & Wales)

BSB

Yes

Registered Foreign Lawyers (RFLs)

SRA

SRA Registration

Registered European Lawyers (RELs)

SRA

SRA Registration

Dual Qualified Solicitors

SRA + Foreign

Yes (both)

Licensed Conveyancers

CLC

Yes

Chartered Legal Executives

CILEx Regulation

Fellowship required

Notaries Public

Master of Faculties

Yes

Patent Attorneys

IPReg

Yes

Trade Mark Attorneys

IPReg

Yes

3. Platform Verification Requirements​

3.1 The Platform verifies all provider registrations against:

(a) SRA Solicitors Register;

(b) BSB Barristers Register;

(c) CLC Register;

(d) CILEx Register;

(e) Other approved regulator registers.

3.2 Registration attempts by non-qualified persons will be:

(a) Rejected at the verification stage;

(b) Flagged for potential fraudulent activity;

(c) Reported to relevant authorities if criminal conduct is suspected.

  • Attempting to register using false credentials is fraud and may be reported to the police.
  1. THE LEGAL SERVICES ACT 2007

4.1 The Legal Services Act 2007 (LSA) governs the provision of legal services in England and Wales.

4.2 Key provisions include:

(a) Definition of 'reserved legal activities' that can only be provided by authorised persons;

(b) Establishment of approved regulators (SRA, BSB, CLC, etc.);

(c) Criminal offences for unauthorised provision of reserved activities;

(d) Criminal offences for holding out as an authorised person;

(e) Consumer protection requirements.

4.3 The purpose of the LSA is to:

(a) Protect consumers of legal services;

(b) Ensure legal services are provided by qualified, regulated persons;

(c) Maintain public confidence in the legal profession;

(d) Provide redress mechanisms for consumers.

5.1 The six RESERVED legal activities under section 12 of the LSA are:

  1. Exercise of a Right of Audience

Appearing before and addressing a court in legal proceedings.

  • Only barristers, solicitors with rights of audience, and other authorised persons may do this.
  1. Conduct of Litigation

Issuing proceedings, prosecuting or defending proceedings, and performing ancillary functions.

  • Only solicitors, authorised barristers, and other authorised persons may do this.
  1. Reserved Instrument Activities

Preparing any instrument of transfer or charge for registered or unregistered land.

  • Only solicitors, licensed conveyancers, and other authorised persons may do this.
  1. Probate Activities

Preparing papers for the purposes of obtaining probate or letters of administration.

  • Only solicitors, licensed conveyancers (if authorised), and other authorised persons may do this.
  1. Notarial Activities

Activities traditionally performed by notaries public.

  • Only notaries public may do this.
  1. Administration of Oaths

Administering oaths, taking affidavits, statutory declarations, and affirmations.

  • Only commissioners for oaths (including solicitors) may do this.

6. Criminal Offences​

6.1 Section 14 - Offence to carry on reserved activity when not entitled:

(a) It is an OFFENCE for a person to carry on a reserved legal activity unless authorised;

(b) Maximum penalty: 2 years' imprisonment and/or unlimited fine;

(c) This applies to individuals and organisations.

6.2 Section 17 - Offence to pretend to be entitled:

(a) It is an OFFENCE to use a title or description implying you are entitled to carry on reserved activities when you are not;

(b) It is an OFFENCE to hold yourself out as entitled when you are not;

(c) Maximum penalty: 2 years' imprisonment and/or unlimited fine.

6.3 Section 21 - Offence to describe yourself as a solicitor when not:

(a) It is an OFFENCE for an unqualified person to wilfully describe themselves as a solicitor;

(b) Maximum penalty: Unlimited fine;

(c) This includes using variations like 'legal consultant' in misleading ways.

  • These are CRIMINAL offences. Conviction results in a criminal record, potential imprisonment, and unlimited fines.

7. Approved Regulators​

7.1 Legal services in England and Wales are regulated by approved regulators:

Regulator

Professionals Regulated

Reserved Activities

Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)

Solicitors, RFLs, RELs

All except notarial

Bar Standards Board (BSB)

Barristers

Advocacy, litigation (limited)

Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC)

Licensed Conveyancers

Conveyancing, probate

CILEx Regulation

Chartered Legal Executives

Varies by authorisation

Master of the Faculties

Notaries Public

Notarial activities

Intellectual Property Regulation Board

Patent/Trade Mark Attorneys

IP litigation rights

Part C: What Non-qualified Persons Cannot Do​

8. Prohibited Activities​

8.1 As a non-qualified person, you CANNOT:

  • Conduct any reserved legal activity

  • Appear as an advocate in court (except as litigant in person or McKenzie friend)

  • Issue or file court proceedings on behalf of others

  • Prepare conveyancing documents (transfers, mortgages, charges)

  • Prepare probate papers for others

  • Administer oaths or take affidavits

  • Perform notarial acts

8.2 You also CANNOT:

  • Register on this Platform as a legal service provider

  • Hold yourself out as able to provide reserved legal activities

  • Accept payment for reserved legal activities

  • Advertise reserved legal services

  • Supervise reserved legal work

9. Prohibited Titles and Descriptions​

9.1 You CANNOT use the following titles or descriptions:

  • Solicitor

  • Barrister

  • Lawyer (if implying authorisation for reserved activities)

  • Attorney (if implying UK authorisation)

  • Legal Advisor (if implying authorisation)

  • Legal Consultant (if implying ability to do reserved work)

  • Conveyancer (unless CLC licensed)

  • Notary or Notary Public

9.2 Using these titles when not qualified is a CRIMINAL OFFENCE under sections 17 and 21 of the Legal Services Act 2007.

  1. CONSEQUENCES OF NON-COMPLIANCE

10.1 If you provide reserved legal activities without authorisation:

(a) Criminal prosecution under LSA sections 14, 17, or 21;

(b) Maximum 2 years' imprisonment;

(c) Unlimited fine;

(d) Criminal record;

(e) Civil liability to clients for losses;

(f) No insurance coverage for claims;

(g) Injunction preventing further activity;

(h) Clients may have contracts voided.

10.2 If you attempt to register fraudulently on this Platform:

(a) Immediate account termination;

(b) Report to police for fraud/attempted fraud;

(c) Report to relevant regulatory bodies;

(d) Civil action for any losses caused;

(e) Permanent ban from the Platform.

Part D: What Non-qualified Persons Can Do​

  1. REGISTRATION AS A CLIENT/BUYER

11.1 You CAN register on the Platform as a client/buyer to:

  • Search for qualified legal professionals

  • Request quotes from solicitors and barristers

  • Instruct qualified lawyers for your legal matters

  • Leave reviews of services received

  • Access consumer protection rights

11.2 As a client, you benefit from:

(a) Services from regulated, insured professionals;

(b) Consumer Rights Act 2015 protections;

(c) Access to complaints procedures;

(d) Access to the Legal Ombudsman;

(e) Professional indemnity insurance coverage.

12. Working Under Supervision​

12.1 You CAN work in legal roles under the supervision of qualified lawyers:

Paralegal Roles

  • Legal research under solicitor supervision

  • Document preparation under supervision

  • Client communication support under supervision

  • Case management assistance

  • Administrative legal support

Key Requirements

(a) Work must be supervised by a qualified solicitor or barrister;

(b) The supervising lawyer takes professional responsibility;

(c) You cannot hold yourself out as a solicitor;

(d) Reserved activities must be done by the qualified supervisor;

(e) Client must know you are not the qualified lawyer.

13.1 Some legal activities are NOT reserved and can be provided by anyone:

  • General legal information and guidance (not advice)

  • Will writing (not probate - contentious area)

  • Employment tribunal representation

  • Tax advice and planning

  • Immigration advice (if OISC registered)

  • Mediation services

  • Legal document review (non-reserved)

  • Contract negotiation assistance

  • Even unreserved activities have regulatory requirements. Will writing is largely unregulated but carries risks. Immigration advice requires OISC registration.

14.1 Non-qualified persons can work in various legal support roles:

Role

Description

Supervision Required

Paralegal

Legal support under lawyer supervision

Yes - by solicitor

Legal Secretary

Administrative support

Office-level

Legal PA

Personal assistant to lawyers

Lawyer supervision

Court Usher

Court administration

Court staff

Legal Cashier

Accounts and finance

COFA oversight

Compliance Officer

Non-lawyer compliance roles

Management

Legal Operations

Practice management

Management

Document Reviewer

Large-scale document review

Project supervision

Legal Researcher

Research support

Lawyer supervision

Part E: Routes to Qualification​

ℹ If you wish to provide legal services in England and Wales, you must qualify through an approved route.

  1. SOLICITOR QUALIFICATION (SQE ROUTE)

15.1 The Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) is the route to becoming a solicitor:

Requirements

(a) Degree or equivalent qualification (any subject);

(b) Pass SQE1 (Functioning Legal Knowledge - 360 MCQs);

(c) Pass SQE2 (Practical Legal Skills - 16 assessments);

(d) Complete 2 years Qualifying Work Experience (QWE);

(e) Meet character and suitability requirements;

(f) Apply for admission to the Roll.

Costs and Timeline

(a) SQE1: £1,934

(b) SQE2: £2,974

(c) Admission fee: £100

(d) Timeline: Typically 3-5 years from start to qualification

(e) Preparation courses: £3,000-£15,000 (optional but recommended)

15.2 After qualification:

(a) Apply for practising certificate annually;

(b) Obtain Professional Indemnity Insurance;

(c) Comply with SRA Standards and Regulations;

(d) Complete continuing competence requirements.

  1. BARRISTER QUALIFICATION (BAR ROUTE)

16.1 To become a barrister:

Requirements

(a) Qualifying law degree OR Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL);

(b) Complete Bar Training Course (vocational component);

(c) Pass centralised Bar assessments;

(d) Complete pupillage (12 months minimum);

(e) Be called to the Bar;

(f) Obtain practising certificate.

Key Points

(a) Highly competitive profession;

(b) Pupillage places are limited;

(c) Initial earnings in pupillage vary significantly;

(d) Self-employed practice requires building a practice.

17.1 Alternative routes to providing legal services:

Chartered Legal Executive (CILEx)

CILEx Level 3 and Level 6 qualifications;

Work experience requirements;

Fellowship status required for full rights;

Can gain litigation and advocacy rights through additional qualifications.

Licensed Conveyancer (CLC)

CLC Level 4 and Level 6 qualifications;

Practical training requirements;

Authorised for conveyancing and (if qualified) probate.

Notary Public

University postgraduate diploma in Notarial Practice;

Two-year work-based learning;

Admission by the Master of the Faculties.

18. Foreign Lawyer Registration​

18.1 If you are qualified in another jurisdiction:

Registered Foreign Lawyer (RFL)

Register with SRA as RFL;

Can provide unreserved legal services;

Cannot conduct reserved activities independently;

Can be manager/owner of SRA-regulated firm.

Full Qualification via SQE

Take SQE1 and SQE2 (possible exemptions from SQE2);

Foreign experience may count as QWE;

Irish solicitors fully exempt from SQE.

Part F: Alternative Platform Use​

  1. CLIENT/BUYER REGISTRATION

19.1 Although you cannot register as a provider, you CAN register as a client/buyer.

19.2 Client registration allows you to:

(a) Search for qualified solicitors and barristers;

(b) View profiles, qualifications, and reviews;

(c) Request quotes for legal services;

(d) Instruct qualified lawyers through the Platform;

(e) Communicate securely with lawyers;

(f) Make payments for legal services;

(g) Leave reviews after service completion.

19.3 To register as a client, you must:

(a) Provide accurate personal/business information;

(b) Accept the Client Terms and Conditions;

(c) NOT attempt to provide legal services through the Platform.

20. Client Rights and Protections​

20.1 As a client using the Platform, you benefit from:

(a) All lawyers are verified as qualified and regulated;

(b) Lawyers are required to have Professional Indemnity Insurance;

(c) Lawyers must comply with their regulatory obligations;

(d) You can verify qualifications through public registers.

20.2 If things go wrong:

(a) Complain to the lawyer first using their complaints procedure;

(b) If unresolved within 8 weeks, contact the Legal Ombudsman;

(c) Report serious misconduct to SRA or BSB;

(d) Make a claim against the lawyer's insurance if you suffer loss.

21. Consumer Protection​

21.1 As a consumer client, you are protected by:

(a) Consumer Rights Act 2015 - services with reasonable care and skill;

(b) Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 - cancellation rights;

(c) Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 - price transparency;

(d) Legal Ombudsman - independent complaints resolution.

21.2 Legal Ombudsman time limits:

(a) Within ONE YEAR of the act or omission;

(b) Within SIX YEARS of the act or omission (longstop);

(c) Within SIX MONTHS of receiving final response from lawyer.

Part G: General Provisions​

22. Misrepresentation​

22.1 Any attempt to register as a provider by misrepresenting your qualifications:

(a) Constitutes fraud;

(b) Will result in immediate account termination;

(c) Will be reported to the police;

(d) Will be reported to relevant regulatory authorities;

(e) May result in civil action for any losses caused.

22.2 Misrepresentation includes:

(a) Claiming to hold a practising certificate when you do not;

(b) Using another person's credentials;

(c) Falsifying SRA or BSB registration numbers;

(d) Claiming qualifications you do not hold;

(e) Omitting material disqualifications or suspensions.

23. Platform Rights​

23.1 The Platform reserves the right to:

(a) Verify all registrations against regulatory registers;

(b) Reject registrations that cannot be verified;

(c) Terminate accounts where qualifications lapse;

(d) Report suspected criminal activity to authorities;

(e) Cooperate with regulatory investigations;

(f) Share information with regulators where required or appropriate.

24. Governing Law​

24.1 These Terms are governed by English law.

24.2 The courts of England and Wales have exclusive jurisdiction.

SCHEDULE 1: WHO CAN PROVIDE LEGAL SERVICES

Can You Provide Legal Services?

Reserved Activities

Unreserved Activities

Solicitor (current PC)

YES - all except notarial

YES

Barrister (current PC)

YES - advocacy, litigation*

YES

RFL (SRA registered)

LIMITED - supervised only

YES

REL (SRA registered)

YES - full rights

YES

Licensed Conveyancer

YES - conveyancing, probate*

YES (limited)

Chartered Legal Exec (Fellow)

DEPENDS on authorisation

YES

Notary Public

YES - notarial only

Limited​

Law Graduate (no PC)

NO

Limited​

Paralegal

NO

Under supervision only

No legal qualification

NO

Very limited

ℹ * Subject to specific authorisations and limitations

SCHEDULE 2: RESERVED VS UNRESERVED ACTIVITIES

RESERVED (Require Authorisation)

Activity

Who Can Do It

Court advocacy

Barristers, Solicitors with rights

Issuing proceedings

Solicitors, authorised others

Conveyancing documents

Solicitors, Licensed Conveyancers

Probate papers

Solicitors, Licensed Conveyancers*

Notarial acts

Notaries Public only

Administering oaths

Commissioners for Oaths

UNRESERVED (Anyone Can Provide - But Risks Apply)

Activity

Notes

Legal advice

Anyone - but no regulatory protection

Will writing

Unregulated - consumer beware

Employment tribunals

Anyone can represent

Tax advice

Various regulators depending on scope

Contract drafting

Anyone - no consumer protection

Immigration advice

Must be OISC registered or exempt

Mediation

Various accreditation bodies

SCHEDULE 3: ROUTES TO LEGAL QUALIFICATION

Route

Qualification

Time

Cost (Approx)

SQE (Solicitor)

Solicitor of E&W

3-5 years

£15,000-£30,000

Bar Course

Barrister of E&W

4-6 years

£20,000-£40,000

CILEx

Chartered Legal Exec

4-6 years

£10,000-£20,000

CLC

Licensed Conveyancer

3-4 years

£5,000-£15,000

Notary

Notary Public

2-3 years

£10,000-£15,000

RFL Registration

Registered Foreign Lawyer

Weeks

£500-£1,000

SCHEDULE 4: LEGAL SUPPORT ROLES (NON-QUALIFIED)

Role

Typical Tasks

Supervision

Can Do Reserved?

Paralegal

Research, drafting, client contact

Solicitor

NO

Legal Secretary

Admin, correspondence, filing

Office

NO

Legal PA

Diary, travel, personal support

Lawyer

NO

Legal Cashier

Accounts, billing, compliance

Cofa​

NO

Trainee Solicitor

Supervised legal work

Supervisor

Supervised only

Pupil Barrister

Supervised advocacy prep

Supervisor

Second six*

Document Reviewer

Large-scale review projects

Project lead

NO

Legal Researcher

Case law, statute research

Lawyer

NO

ℹ * Pupil barristers in second six can appear in court under supervision

Document Information​

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Legal Framework

Legal Services Act 2007

Solicitors Act 1974

Courts and Legal Services Act 1990

SRA Standards and Regulations 2019 (as amended 2025)

BSB Handbook 2025

CLC Code of Conduct

Consumer Rights Act 2015

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Key Contacts

Solicitors Regulation Authority: www.sra.org.uk

Bar Standards Board: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk

Council for Licensed Conveyancers: www.clc-uk.org

CILEx Regulation: www.cilexregulation.org.uk

Legal Ombudsman: www.legalombudsman.org.uk

SQE Information: www.sra.org.uk/sqe

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Related Documents

Solicitor Terms and Conditions V1.0

Barrister Terms and Conditions V1.0

Client/Buyer Terms and Conditions V1.0

Privacy Policy V1.0

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Document Version: 2.0

Effective Date: January 2026

Last Updated: January 2026

Next Review: July 2026

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