Qualifying in Lockdown

When I started my training contract at

SA Law on 1 November 2018, I never expected to qualify as a solicitor at home with celebrations consisting of a Chinese take-out on my couch.

When I began my training contract I could join my colleague’s client meetings, easily ask stupid questions, and collate hard copy bundles of documents. All things I missed once we began working from home. We all know how horrendous the past year and a half has been and all lawyers have had to adapt to a working life of 10-step commutes, Teams calls and no printer access. Despite this, my day-to-day work stayed the same albeit with the introduction of a range of new technology platforms.

Once I qualified, I expected my life to change. I expected myself to know more and be more articulate. The reality is that nothing changed apart from my email footer and although I am now more confident in my skills as a lawyer, with two years of training behind me, I am still learning and will continue to do so.

Junior lawyers have generally had a difficult time adjusting to the “new normal” working environment. I have been fortunate to speak to many junior lawyers over the past year and a half about the joys and woes of remote working, and most notably reported is the lack of adequate supervision. The Law Society has produced a good practice guidance for the remote supervision of junior lawyers (available at https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/en/ topics/hr-and-people-management/supervisiongood-practice-for-remote-supervision-of-juniorstaff-and-trainee-solicitors), and I highly recommend that all lawyers regardless of PQE read it.

The route to qualification is changing following the introduction of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) on 1 September 2021 with training contracts being replaced with two years of qualifying work experience. Whilst we transition to this new form of qualification, it is imperative that firms ensure that they continue to provide adequate training and supervision to their junior lawyers.

If you have any concerns or questions about studying, training or supervising a junior lawyer please do not hesitate to contact the Hertfordshire Junior Lawyers Division at hertfordshirejuniorlawyersdivision@hotmail.com.

Lizzy Lim (née Trueman) Hertfordshire Law Society Junior Lawyers Division Representative

National Junior Lawyers Division Hertfordshire Representative