I've differed my GDL for sept 2021, does this mean I still have to take the SQE ?

1. Deferred, not differed.

2. The old route will exist until 2032. Anyone who commences a GDL before December 2021 will still be eligible to sit the LPC afterwards instead of the SQE.

3. I truly don't recommend self-funding any of these exams as they're huge investments, money- and time-wise.

ahh thank u saoo much. I have tried to find information from universities but none actually tell u about it in detail. So to double-check because I start my course in 2021 september I can still take the old route as in GDL, LPC and training contracts to be a qualified solicitor?

Technically yes, according to the recruiter Jessica Booker on TCLA (I've not confirmed this myself). But like I said, I really strongly recommend you not to fund anything yourself and wait for a TC.

I have checked with the SRA in writing and if you have a training contract offer by then or if you have accepted a place on the GDL starting September 2021 you can definitely still do the GDL LPC route. The reason I checked was my son was going to have a gap year but did not want to be in the new regime (although in the end the gap year travel plans are in tatters and he is now doing the GDL this year instead so no issue over SQE). I thin it is very very unhelpful it is so hard to find out. I am a lawyer. I had to write to my regulator. They could not even tell me over the phone and they had to take a few weeks to find the answer.

So
1. You can still do the GDL. (The BPP new style PGDL even this year prepares you for SQE1 and GDL options by the way)
2. I don't know how many SQE retakes are possible. I have not had to look that up. At a guess 3 attempts but that might well be wrong.
3. Hard to know. It is certainly simpler to pass the GDL in 2022 and then the LPC in 2023. If you can get a firm to pay so much the better. I am not keen on change so I would probably stay stick with the GDL and LPC as long as you can but I realise cost is the main issue.

As far as I know if you have accepted a GDL place to start September 2021 even if it is part time you have the choice of the existing route GDL then LPC then 2 years TC. However it is likely all major law firms will move to the SQE system when they are required to and will want all their trainees moving over as they probably will not want some trainees under one system and others not.

So if you finish a part time GDL in 2023 you would need to find a firm happy that you do the LPC which they might be if they are a firm that does not fund it as then they would know you had done all your exams before you start and have passed them. Also the GDL will always be a plus piont in my view over studying for the SQE1 in your own time from books etc.