The College of Legal Practice Degree Verification and Apostille

The College of Legal Practice is a recognised UK higher education provider with degree-awarding powers. Its qualifications include the LLM in Legal Practice and Graduate Diploma in Law.

Ginkgo Advisory can assist with HEDD verification, enhanced solicitor certification, FCDO apostille and embassy legalisation. A 2 working day express FCDO apostille option is available after verification and certification are complete.

Quick answer

Qualifications awarded by The College of Legal Practice can be verified through HEDD.

The usual route is:

HEDD verification → enhanced solicitor certification → FCDO apostille → embassy legalisation where required

HEDD can confirm:

• current or former student status;
• the qualification awarded;
• the grade attained; and
• attendance dates.

The current degree enquiry fee is £14.

HEDD degree verification

The candidate must provide a signed consent form. It can be uploaded as a PDF, JPG, PNG or TIF.

The verification request should include accurate details such as:

• the candidate’s full name;
• any former name;
• programme title;
• qualification;
• study dates;
• award year;
• grade or classification; and
• student number, if known.

HEDD then checks the submitted information against the College’s academic records.

Academic awards and SQE results

The College offers academic programmes and SQE preparation courses. However, these are not all the same type of qualification.

For example, the LLM in Legal Practice is a master’s award from the College. The programme includes SQE preparation, but the external SQE assessments remain separate from the LLM.

HEDD verification of a College qualification does not confirm:

• an SQE1 result;
• an SQE2 result;
• completion of qualifying work experience;
• admission as a solicitor; or
• current SRA regulatory status.

SQE assessment records must be checked through the official SQE system.

Certificates, transcripts and official letters

Former students who need a transcript, replacement certificate or official academic letter should contact the College Registry:

registry@collegalpractice.com

The correct document depends on the receiving authority’s requirements. It may ask for:

• the degree or diploma certificate;
• an academic transcript;
• an award confirmation letter;
• confirmation of attendance;
• a module record; or
• a solicitor-certified copy.

We recommend checking the recipient’s instructions before ordering additional documents.

Solicitor verification and certification

A basic solicitor-certified copy confirms that the copy matches the document presented to the solicitor.

It does not independently confirm that the College awarded the qualification.

Our enhanced solicitor certification service reviews the document against reliable evidence, such as:

• a HEDD verification result;
• an official College transcript;
• an award confirmation letter;
• a replacement certificate; or
• another secure academic record.

Where the evidence supports it, our solicitor can provide certification with authenticity confirmation.

This creates a stronger evidence chain than a basic certified true copy.

FCDO apostille

After academic verification and solicitor certification, the document can proceed to the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.

An apostille authenticates the relevant UK signature, stamp or seal. It does not independently verify the academic qualification.

The recommended process is:

academic verification → enhanced solicitor certification → FCDO apostille

Our 2 working day express FCDO apostille option covers the apostille stage only.

It does not include:

• HEDD processing;
• College document production;
• consent-form corrections;
• courier delivery; or
• embassy legalisation.

Embassy legalisation

Documents intended for a destination outside the Hague Apostille Convention may require further embassy or consular legalisation.

A typical route is:

solicitor certification → FCDO legalisation → embassy legalisation

The receiving authority may also request:

• an official transcript;
• an award confirmation letter;
• a certified translation;
• a passport copy; or
• further evidence of professional status.

Academic qualification verification should not be confused with verification of admission as a solicitor or another regulated professional status.

What to send us

Please provide:

• a clear scan of the certificate;
• the transcript, if available;
• the candidate’s name during study;
• programme and qualification;
• attendance dates;
• award year;
• grade or classification;
• student number, if known;
• destination country; and
• receiving authority’s requirements.

We will confirm the correct verification, certification and legalisation route.

Frequently asked questions

Can HEDD verify a College of Legal Practice qualification?

Yes. HEDD provides online verification for current and former students of The College of Legal Practice.

How much does verification cost?

The current HEDD degree enquiry fee is £14.

Is candidate consent required?

Yes. A signed consent form must be uploaded with the verification request.

Can HEDD verify an LLM in Legal Practice?

Yes, where the College awarded the qualification and the record is available through HEDD.

Can HEDD verify SQE1 or SQE2 results?

No. SQE assessments are separate from the College’s academic awards. Official SQE results are managed through the SQE candidate system.

Does completing the LLM mean the graduate is a solicitor?

No. The LLM is an academic qualification. Admission as a solicitor requires completion of the separate regulatory requirements.

Does an apostille verify the qualification?

No. HEDD verifies the academic record. The apostille authenticates the relevant UK signature, stamp or seal.

Can Ginkgo Advisory manage the complete process?

Yes. We can coordinate HEDD verification, enhanced solicitor certification, FCDO apostille, embassy legalisation and return delivery.

Start your College of Legal Practice verification

Send a clear scan and the receiving authority’s requirements to:

Email: info@ginkgoadvisory.com
WhatsApp: +44 7388 833283