SRA gives work-based learning pilot green light
15 September 2008
Around 40 paralegals* across the country are looking forward to starting a ground-breaking route to becoming full-fledged solicitors this month.
The programme - a two-year work-based learning scheme being piloted by the Solicitors Regulation Authority - is scheduled to start at 46 firms** who have been selected to take part across England and Wales.
The aim of the exercise is both to ensure new solicitors have been rigorously assessed prior to qualification, and to provide more flexibility in the design of training systems.
The SRA has spent the last year refining the operation of the pilot including validating the assessment procedures to be carried out in-house by the employer, or by the Nottingham Law School, which has been appointed as an external assessment organisation.
Under the current training contract arrangements, trainees serve two years in a solicitor's firm or other legal environment. They have to gain experience in at least three areas of law and in contentious and non-contentious work.
Work based learning has the same requirements, but also includes formal recording of learning and objective assessment in eight non-negotiable areas to ensure a candidate's competence, including application of legal knowledge, relations with clients and professional ethics.
Flexibility is a key feature both for the profession and the candidates themselves - a departure from the current prescriptive system, where trainees are told which skills they need to achieve by the end of their training period ("inputs-based"). Instead, the pilot is designed around an "outcomes-based" approach which is more individually tailored and at the same time includes rigorous assessment to ensure competence to practice.
The final assessment ensures that only those who are competent in all the necessary skills qualify as solicitors.
Dr Jonathan Spencer, chair of the SRA's Education and Training Committee, said: "We are enthusiastic about the launch of the work-based learning pilot and will be monitoring its progress very carefully to assess how it is working in practice for all parties concerned and to carry out any modifications which may become necessary.
"We have received a good, if cautious, response from the profession to the pilot but I am confident that we will be able to show that opening up the ways of access to the profession and stringent assessment methods can only bring benefits to everyone concerned.
"We are confident that we can improve the quality and consistency of standards given the monitoring mechanisms we are putting in place but obviously the pilot will enable us to iron out any issues before a full roll-out is agreed."
Keith Gaines, dean of Nottingham Law School, commented: "This is potentially the biggest shake-up in qualification since the introduction of the LPC 15 years ago. Nottingham Law School has always been at the forefront of developing and delivering legal education and training.
"In Jane Ching, who will lead this project for us, we have someone who is recognised for innovation and quality. We're delighted to partner with the SRA in developing this exciting pilot."
A full evaluation of the results will be carried out after the two-year period with an anticipated full roll-out from 2011 as a bona fide legal training programme which will then be compulsory.
Detailed information about the work-based learning pilot is available online at www.sra.org.uk/wbl.
Background information
* Paralegal is defined for the purpose of the pilot as a person working in the legal profession, who has completed the academic stage of training (i.e. a degree, either in law or other discipline, and a year's LPC/GDL course). It is applicable to those who are able to perform substantive legal work which requires knowledge of the legal system, legal processes or legal concept.
** A number of organisations who are piloting work based learning on their trainees have expressed a willingness to take part in publicity. They are listed below:
- Beachcroft LLP, Bristol , Tel: Gemma Knight on 0117 918 2528
- De Marco Hunter, Baginton, Warks, Tel: Sandra Garlick on 024 7641 4440
- Hodge Jones and Allen, London , Tel: Peter Todd on 0207 874 8467
- Leeds City Council, Leeds , Tel: Nicola Murphy on 0113 247 4436
- Linklaters LLP, London , Tel Kate Peart on 0207 456 2000
- Jones Day, London , Tel: Liz Bryne on 0208 039 5511
- Freeth Cartwright LLP, Nottingham , Tel: Carole Wigley on 0115 901 5504
- Dickinson Dees , Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tel: Paul Stewart on 0191 279 9292
- Assessment organisation: Nottingham Law School , Clare Turnbull, Senior Consultant, Kysen PR Direct dial: 020 7462 8414