header-logo header-logo

Levelling the playing field

01 April 2010 / Clare Gilligan
Issue: 7411 & 7412 / Categories: Features , Profession
printer mail-detail

The clock is counting down to the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s (SRA) new Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme (QLTS) which will replace the transfer system first introduced 20 years ago.

The clock is counting down to the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s (SRA) new Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme (QLTS) which will replace the transfer system first introduced 20 years ago.

Now approved by the Legal Services Board, the QLTS will apply to
internationally qualified lawyers and lawyers qualified in the UK applying for
admission as solicitors in England and Wales. In 2008–09, 26% of admissions to the roll (around 2,000 lawyers) came through the QLTR route. Many of these have been as a result of City firmslooking to attract talent from overseas to complement their home grown solicitors.

QLTS will be effective from this September with the first assessments
available in January 2011.

What prompted the change?

Clients, big or small, need to be confident that wherever their solicitor has qualified that they are competent to do the work that they have been instructed to do.

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Birketts—trainee cohort

Birketts—trainee cohort

Firm welcomes new cohort of 29 trainee solicitors for 2025

Keoghs—four appointments

Keoghs—four appointments

Four partner hires expand legal expertise in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Real estate team in Yorkshire welcomes new partner

NEWS
Robert Taylor of 360 Law Services warns in this week's NLJ that adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) risks entrenching disadvantage for SME law firms, unless tools are tailored to their needs
The Court of Protection has ruled in Macpherson v Sunderland City Council that capacity must be presumed unless clearly rebutted. In this week's NLJ, Sam Karim KC and Sophie Hurst of Kings Chambers dissect the judgment and set out practical guidance for advisers faced with issues relating to retrospective capacity and/or assessments without an examination
Delays and dysfunction continue to mount in the county court, as revealed in a scathing Justice Committee report and under discussion this week by NLJ columnist Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School. Bulk claims—especially from private parking firms—are overwhelming the system, with 8,000 cases filed weekly
Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve charts the turbulent progress of the Employment Rights Bill through the House of Lords, in this week's NLJ
From oligarchs to cosmetic clinics, strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) target journalists, activists and ordinary citizens with intimidating legal tactics. Writing in NLJ this week, Sadie Whittam of Lancaster University explores the weaponisation of litigation to silence critics
back-to-top-scroll