News releases

Regulator announces next steps in modernising training

31 May 2007

The next steps in the introduction of new arrangements for training contracts and other work-based learning for trainee solicitors have been announced by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).

The SRA has reviewed the development of a more rigorous approach to the assessment of trainees and an alternative route for those who fail to secure a training contract. It has decided that piloting of the new arrangements should begin in 2008, rather than this year as originally planned.

Dr Jonathan Spencer, chair of the SRA's Education and Training Committee, commented: "We have worked extensively with solicitors, training firms and experts, and held a public consultation. This has enabled good progress in the development of outcome standards, both for the existing training contract system and the proposed new alternative route to qualification. We could have begun to pilot these this autumn, but decided it would be wise to spend a little more time in developing the arrangements.

"The SRA is particularly concerned to improve access for successful Legal Practice Course graduates, most likely by developing the alternative route to qualification and the associated assessment methods. The challenge is to develop a system which is robust enough not to be seen as a 'second class' route to qualification, but not so bureaucratic that trainees and their employers are reluctant to use it. We have not yet quite cracked this dilemma."