PETITION TO THE SOLICITORS REGULATION AUTHORITY AND KAPLAN

As QLTS MCT candidates and with the rising Covid variant, we are seriously concerned about our health , that of our families and people in general.  Some candidates have severe health issues and that will become evident from the comments to the petition addressed to the SRA and Kaplan. As much as most of us are desirous of writing on 13 January 2021, many of us are in the older category and we find it difficult to risk sitting with 20 or more people in a closed room for 6 hours.

1.       We would like Kaplan and the SRA to seriously consider setting more dates prior to the July exam to assist those who cannot take the exams given the current global pandemic and its various Implications. We appreciate that we may elect to cancel the exam and receive a refund but this does not solve the issue going forward.

2.       As foreign lawyers (and those from other applicable jurisdictions), we have only the JULY session to complete the MCT exam, even though we understand that is not due to any fault on our part, or that of Kaplan and the SRA or Pearsons.

3.       We urgently appeal to the SRA and to Kaplans to ensure that all candidates, more especially those who are sick and whose countries have an upsurge of Covid be given another opportunity to write the exams within the next few months (March/April 2021 or other suitable date) prior to the July exams. As there is a lack of seats close in proximity to many candidates having to write in other countries or other cities, and flights being cancelled and possibility of some countries blocking other countries from writing at the centres, we believe that Kaplan and the SRA must reconsider this matter urgently.

4.       As the SRA and Kaplan has not introduced online proctoring, which they could easily have done due to the outbreak in early 2020, being a forewarning as to what could possibly happen in the future, we appeal to both SRA and Kaplan to reconsider and add another date for the exam prior to July to accommodate the affected candidates as well as consider online proctoring as is the case in many other Law exams (viz N. York bar exams etc)

5.       Obviously those who are willing to write on 13 January should be permitted to continue and not be prejudiced and a separate date/s be added for those with serious concerns pertaining to the current pandemic.

6.        We are willing to sacrifice our time and continue studying. However, the current pandemic has had schools shutdown in the UK , South Africa and elsewhere with most parents being forced to do home-schooling; and others not having access to childcare facilities. The situation has changed due to lockdown which was not anticipated. These challenges are real as none of us expected another lockdown in our respective countries.

7.       We suggest that the alternative dates be provided to us by not later than 8 January 2021 alternatively a firm undertaking be given that the postponed exam/s take place after 15 February (current lockdown) in the U.K but by 31 March 2021/30 April/ 31 May 2020.  Those who have already signed up be given priority to avoid us having to undergo the entire process of the stress of finding a seat and paying again.

8. Please can you also permit the candidates who are writing to Reschedule their exam for 13 January to another venue.