Education and training are “well-embedded” across the legal profession with a wide range of processes deployed, research commissioned by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has shown.
A report published last week, based on interviews with 750 SRA-regulated entities, found that seven out of 10 firms have formal training processes in place and monitor staff development through performance appraisal; nearly all legal firms, irrespective of size, keep records on the nature and amount of time spent on training; and compliance officers for egal practice (COLPs) manage the majority of learning activities.
A wide range of informal training is undertaken, for example, work shadowing, mentoring and case-file discussions. The report found that these are effective and recommended that they be considered an integral part of continuing professional development.
