Global rep of UK law threatened if qualification standards watered down
updated on 27 July 2015
The Law Society has warned that various proposals under consideration by the SRA that would change the way in which solicitors qualify could serve to damage the perception of the United Kingdom as a “global centre of legal excellence”.
The Global Competitiveness report looked at the range of training options being considered by the SRA and assessed the impact these potential changes could have on the international reputation of UK solicitors. Of particular concern to many City firms was the possibility that the period of workplace learning - ie, the training contact - may be abolished.
Jonathan Smithers, Law Society president, said: “The solicitor training contract contributes to developing practical professionally trained commercial lawyers and is the global gold standard, distinguishing the England and Wales qualification from its international rivals. UK law is respected globally. This reputation has been established over centuries based on the quality of legal practitioners, their excellent education, and the independence and standard of the courts and judiciary.”
One firm commented on the importance of the training contract: “The commercial antennae [of those who have completed a training contract] are much sharper compared to those who did a short placement or no training contract.”
