PRESIDENT’S LETTER
The legal press has been filled with interesting topics of discussion. Please see summary below: Is there a demand for formal CPD to return? Formal CPD assessments for solicitors were scrapped on 1 November 2016. Instead, the responsibility fell on law firms to consider the quality of its practice and to identify any learning and development needs. Many were concerned that this would result in fewer checks to ensure the competence of lawyers. In early 2020 The Legal Services Board confirmed that the decision to scrap CPD assessments would be reviewed as it was important to understand how standards would be maintained amongst lawyers. It was recently announced that during the second half of the year, the Legal Services Board will formally consult on how solicitors are being measured on annual training in order to ensure that they remain competent throughout their careers. Any future changes could include targeted visits to firms where it is felt that clients are at risk due to lack of training. In addition, the Legal Services Board is likely to recommend that the SRA and other regulators introduce a scheme to identify any solicitor who fails to meet the required competency standards. I believe that this is a well needed change because the public need to feel confident that lawyers have the current skills and knowledge required to do the job. They also need to feel that lawyers continue to be measured by a high standard in order to maintain trust in the services that we provide. THE SHOCKING COST OF THE SOLICITORS QUALIFYING EXAMINATION The Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) comes into force on 1st September 2021. The transitional period when individuals can choose whether to qualify under the existing routes or the SQE route also begins on 1st September 2021. However, several providers will continue to offer the existing route to qualification for at least three years from September 2021. Under the SQE route you must: • still hold a degree or equivalent, i.e. an apprenticeship in any subject; • pass the new SQE assessments i.e. SQE Stages 1 and 2; • have a minimum of two years’ 4 www.birminghamlawsociety.co.uk
Qualifying Work Experience (QWE); • still be able to show that you are of satisfactory character and suitability Individuals are free to choose the training they need to pass the assessments that will prepare them for practice that best suits their talents and learning requirements. It was initially hoped that the SQE would cut the cost of entry into the profession. However, one of the UK’s largest law schools recently announced that it could cost up to £30,000 for non-law graduates to complete a law conversion course before embarking on the LLM Legal Practice course. • The LLM will prepare students for both elements of the SQE, could cost between £12,900 and £17,500; • Non-law graduates are advised to complete a law conversion course that could cost between £9,850 and £15,00; • Tuition fees does not cover the cost of sitting the SQE of £3,980 that is payable to the SRA. These costs mean that a UK non-law graduate could pay up to £30,000, whereas the current costs for aspiring solicitors who wish to take the law conversion course and the legal Practice Course in London is
somewhere in the region of £29,750 but less in the provinces. Students are advised to shop around because the cost of the SQE will vary by each provider. However, one must question the rationale behind the changes from the current route into the profession. INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY ON 8TH MARCH 2021 The UN has announced that the theme for International Women’s Day 2021 is: “Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world”. The focus will include the full and effective participation of women in decision making; public life; elimination of violence; achieving gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls. It is widely accepted that women bring different experiences, perspectives and skills to the table. The following women have been recognised for their decisive, effective and swift response to COVID-19. Whilst at the same time providing fact-based public health information to their citizens laced with compassion. I would like to shine the spotlight on some of these famous female world leaders: Mette Frederiksen has been serving as Prime Minster of Denmark since June 2019;
