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How quickly did Henry Fielding complete his legal studies?

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Henry Fielding, frontispiece to Fielding's Works (1st ed., 1762), engraving by James Basire after a drawing by William Hogarth — Henry Fielding Henry Fielding, frontispiece to Fielding's *Works* (1st ed., 1762), engraving by James Basire after a drawing by William Hogarth

Henry Fielding completed his legal studies in less than three years, a process that typically required six or seven years to finish. He undertook this rigorous course of study to restore his financial fortunes after his career as a playwright ended following the passage of the Licensing Act in 1737. Even while pursuing his legal education, he remained active as a writer, editing and contributing heavily to the newspaper The Champion; or, British Mercury.1