PQE

PQE stands for Post-Qualification Experience. It is a term used primarily in the legal sector in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and other common-law jurisdictions to denote the number of years since a lawyer was admitted to practice as a solicitor, advocate, or barrister. The concept provides a rough gauge of practical experience rather than formal seniority and is commonly used in job postings, promotions, and remuneration discussions.

In practice, PQE is used by employers and training programs to indicate expected levels of expertise. For example, a job advertisement might require 0–2 PQE for an entry-level associate, 3–5 PQE for a mid-level role, or 5+ PQE for a senior position. While PQE signals tenure, it does not reliably measure skill, quality of work, or area of practice, which can vary widely even within the same PQE band.

Calculation and interpretation: The clock typically starts on the date of professional admission to practice (such as call to the bar or admission as a solicitor). Time spent on approved training contracts, pupillage, or certain approved career pauses may count or be pro-rated differently depending on the firm or jurisdiction. Some firms count full- or part-time experience on a pro-rata basis.

Limitations: PQE can oversimplify an individual's capabilities, particularly when time is spent in non-legal roles, across different jurisdictions, or in highly varied areas of practice. It is best used in combination with assessments of the nature of the work performed, references, and demonstrated competencies.

Other uses: PQE is an acronym that may have other meanings in different fields, but in the legal profession it most commonly refers to Post-Qualification Experience. Context typically clarifies the intended meaning.