Part 1 of my two part blog considered the SRA’s new competency based CPD regime, identification of training needs and the importance of a proactive performance management (appraisal) system. Proactive, constructive and regular supervision are key skills in effective performance management and the delivery of high standards of client care. The issue of effective supervision has been an important but…
In its new competency based CPD regime the SRA expects solicitors to reflect, plan, take action on learning needs, keep a record and finally evaluate their learning – the learning cycle model. For many solicitors this will be a big change to their normal approach to CPD and they will need guidance and support on how to do it. Some…
There has been a lot of speculation recently on the SRA Training for Tomorrow initiative and what will replace the current CPD framework and the 16 hour annual target. The recent announcement from the SRA, the ‘new approach to Continuing Competence’, has ended that debate. No doubt the speculation will now move from what the concept will be to as…
Those barristers and chambers that have already embraced the concept of public access (PA) have done so mainly because they have organised themselves effectively with targeted marketing and by developing user-friendly and efficient processes but also, more importantly, by delivering high standards of client care. However, they still represent a minority of self-employed barristers. Fully leveraging the opportunities provided by…
Private and commercial clients have been able to instruct barristers directly through Public Access since 2004. However, in 2014, chambers are still only achieving, on average, public access work turnover levels of between 5 and 10%. Most of that work is actually generated through individual effort rather than from coordinated chambers or team activities. We recognise that public access may…
Effective cash management for law firms continues to be hugely important moving forward. However, do enough of our solicitors and legal advisers proactively manage these processes as a key and integral part of their daily work? Simply instructing intelligent, busy and stressed out people to do yet one more task is unlikely to achieve much, especially if they have insufficient…
