Law firms’ variety and depth of training revealed in SRA report

A recent report commissioned by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has shown the wide variety of education and training processes used across the legal profession.

The report is based on a survey examining the training systems of 750 SRA-regulated organisations, including law firms and alternative business structures. It found that around 70% of firms have formal training processes in place and carry out performance appraisals as part of the overseeing of staff development. Meanwhile, the report reveals that where ultimate responsibility lies for training is dependent on firm size, with larger firms tending to have a higher number of people sharing responsibility. Finally, the report found that ongoing professional development in the shape of more informal training is widespread across the profession – including shadowing, mentoring and case-file tuition.

Julie Brannan, the SRA’s director of education and training commented: "This report confirms that education and training practices are well embedded across the profession. It demonstrates the value of less formal approaches to learning and supports our new approach to continuing competence."