Can a newly qualified lawyer apply for a Certificate of Eligibility if he/she does not have the required two years experience?

Yes, a newly qualified lawyer can apply for the Certificate of Eligibility. If he/she does not have two years practicing experience as a lawyer, the SRA may consider pre enrolment (enrolment with the State Bar Council) experience as paralegal, legal clerk, legal executive and issue a Certificate of Eligibility with the additional condition that the candidate must gain further experience prior to making an application for admission to the Roll of Solicitors of England and Wales. To fulfill the additional requirement of the Certificate of Eligibility, a candidate is required to work for a specific period (mentioned in the Certificate of Eligibility) in a Solicitors’ office in England and Wales in the practice of English Law (subject to the SRA requirements).