The Beginning of Blackwater

The introduction of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (“SQE”) created new and more flexible pathways into the legal profession. For many aspiring solicitors, this seemed to be an important step towards improving accessibility and widening participation across the profession.

Yet, while the route to qualification has evolved, there are significant practical difficulties when it comes to obtaining and evidencing Qualifying Work Experience (“QWE”).

Candidates working outside of traditional law firm environments, and for whom the traditional training contract route is unsuitable, report uncertainties surrounding:

• supervision,

• record keeping,

• evidencing competencies,

• and obtaining appropriate solicitor confirmation of QWE.

Many individuals are already undertaking valuable and qualifying legal work within businesses, consultancies, charities, in-house teams, and other non-traditional environments, but do not have access to the support structures historically associated with conventional training contracts.

We started Blackwater to help address that gap.

Our aim is to provide professional QWE supervision, review, and wider support services for candidates and organisations navigating the QWE process. We recognise that every candidate’s circumstances are different, and we believe access to qualification should not depend solely upon working within a traditional legal setting.

As the legal profession continues to evolve, we believe that modern pathways to qualification require modern forms of professional support. Blackwater was founded with that principle in mind, and we look forward to supporting the next generation of solicitors.