Gulsom’s story
“I was the first girl in my family and entire village to graduate from university, and I was the first female prosecutor in my region in Afghanistan. During my work I investigated more than 100 criminal cases and attended 100’s of court meetings. I campaigned for women rights in the north of Afghanistan for five years.”
“What motivated me to become a women’s rights lawyer was that I was witnessing a huge gender gap and violence against women in every corner of my region and in every family within the community.”
“In August 2021, when the Taliban took over, I had to flee my favourite job, my beloved hometown and my family to seek safety in the UK. Currently I am working as a Paralegal in a law firm in London. I hope to become a professional lawyer in the UK and continue stand up for women’s rights.”
Gulsom is one among many legal professionals who are rebuilding their legal careers in the UK. But they face many barriers. Many need to take the Solicitors Qualifying Examinations (SQE), a central assessment process that ensures new solicitors in England and Wales are qualified to a high standard. The preparation is arduous, and the exams are notoriously tough. The whole process is also expensive, running into thousands of pounds.
The Linklaters, BARBRI and Breaking Barriers collaboration
Following conversations between global law firm Linklaters, leading legal training provider BARBRI, and Breaking Barriers, a collaborative initiative was born to remove some of these barriers.
Launched in 2021, its aim was to help refugee lawyers qualify as solicitors in England and Wales. Recognising the untapped potential of highly skilled refugees in the UK and aligning with the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s (SRA) push for a more diverse legal profession, the initiative provides refugee lawyers with fully-funded SQE1 preparation courses and support.
Breaking Barriers helped me in my search for financial support to study and take the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). The support was tremendous. The friendly team assisted me in my successful applications to obtain the needed support. I passed my SQE1 and I am now preparing for the SQE2. Without the support of Breaking Barriers, BARBRI and Linklaters it would be quite difficult for me to proceed in the study and exams of SQE. I really appreciate their passion to assist many individuals from various backgrounds in their pursuit to obtain proper training and career opportunities in the UK.
Alan (name changed to protect his identity)
A dedicated team comprising representatives from BARBRI, Linklaters, and Breaking Barriers collaborated to develop and implement the programme. Refugee lawyers have access to BARBRI’s flexible 40-week course, allowing them to self-study alongside other commitments. The course offers a Personal Study Plan and regular touchpoints with a learning mentor.
This year, refugee lawyers on the programme have also been paired with a mentor from Linklaters, offering them complementary career advice and guidance alongside their BARBRI prep course. Upon completion of the course, refugee lawyers are enrolled in the SQE1 exam, fully funded, which provides a first step to requalification in the UK.
To date, the scheme has supported 13 refugees to study for SQE1. Two candidates – a judge from Ethiopia and a lawyer from Iraq – have successfully passed the exam, exemplifying the initiative’s effectiveness in empowering refugee lawyers to achieve their professional goals. The next cohort of refugees are waiting for their results, and Gulsom is due to take the exam later this year.
These achievements highlight the tangible impact on both individual refugee lawyers and the broader legal landscape. By providing financial support, access to high-quality education, and a supportive network, the partnership between Linklaters, BARBRI, and Breaking Barriers is empowering refugee lawyers to overcome significant barriers and pursue successful legal careers in the UK.