The Solicitors Regulation Authority
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is the regulator of solicitors and law firms in England and Wales, protecting consumers and supporting the rule of law and the administration of justice. It does this by overseeing all education and training requirements necessary to practise as a solicitor, licensing individuals and firms to practise, setting the standards of the profession and regulating and enforcing compliance against these standards. Further information is available at www.sra.org.uk. In order to practise, all would-be solicitors need to be admitted to the roll. Under current regulations, to be eligible to apply for admission you must have satisfactorily completed: • the academic stage of training (ie, a qualifying law degree (QLD), the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) or the Common Professional Examination (CPE)); and • the vocational stage of training which comprises: the Legal Practice Course (LPC); a period of recognised training (formerly referred to as ‘training contract’); and the Professional Skills Course (PSC). Any part of the academic or vocational stages may be met by equivalent means (see http://www.sra.org.uk/students/resources/ equivalent-means-information-pack.page). This is known as the domestic route to qualification. Alternative routes may be available to those who have CILEx qualifications, or who have already qualified in another jurisdiction. You must also satisfy the SRA that you are of the right character and suitability to be a solicitor. As part of this, you must undertake screening, which includes a standard disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Regulatory reform The SRA is transforming the way it regulates for the benefit of consumers and in the public
interest. The SRA will focus on the high-level principles and outcomes that should drive the provision of legal services for consumers. The SRA will be changing its qualification requirements (see “changes ahead” later in this chapter). However, the following information sets out the current requirements for admission as a solicitor. LPC If you are planning on becoming a solicitor through the domestic route outlined above, you need to complete the LPC. Period of recognised training The period of recognised training is a period of supervised training with an SRA-registered training establishment (eg, a firm of solicitors, local authority or legal department within a commercial organisation). It usually lasts for two years, but can be completed over a longer period if working or studying part time. You will develop your understanding of legal practice and the responsibilities you will take on when you are admitted to the roll. The following criteria must be met during your training: • You will gain experience in at least three areas of English or Welsh law (or one area if you commence a period of recognised training after 25 November 2019) and develop your skills in contentious and non- contentious areas of practice. The SRA’s Practice Skills Standards set out the extent and level of the experience that you will need to gain. • You will need to keep a record of the work you have done and the skills you have gained. • You will have informal performance reviews with your training principal or supervisor. • You will have at least three formal appraisals over the period, at which you can discuss your development and progress.
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