Research proves varied work experience is key to developing as a solicitor
updated on 03 October 2016
A new study has proved that a wide range of experience gained in a variety of work-based environments helps would-be lawyers to develop the set of skills needed to be a successful legal professional. The research, carried out by the SRA and Nottingham Law School, also found that no one type of environment exposed students to all necessary competences.
The study, “Pre-qualification work experience in professional legal education”, looked at different types of work experience, including in law centres, sandwich degree placements, working as a paralegal and vacation schemes. The aim was to look at and compare the type of work that students, trainees, paralegals, CILEx members and others undertake to try to understand the skills and expertise that they develop as a result.
The results showed that all different types of legal experience exposed would-be solicitors to valuable and transferable learning opportunities. Julie Brannan, SRA director of education and training, said: "We have already said that work-based experience will form an integral part of any new qualification system. This research shows just how important and valuable it is. It also demonstrates that competences can be developed through a range of different types of legal work experience.”
Jane Ching, professor of professional legal education at Nottingham Law School, added: “The research reinforces the significance of work experience in the development of aspiring lawyers. By looking at a variety of kinds of work experience we have been able to investigate the extent to which different competences might be developed more strongly in different environments.”
