Every firm of solicitors, law centre, and certain in-house legal practices in England & Wales must have a principal who is ‘qualified to supervise’ in accordance with Rule 5 Solicitors’ Code of Conduct 2007 – to ensure “the supervision and management of a firm or in-house practice, the maintenance of competence, and the internal business arrangements essential to the proper delivery of services to clients”.

This means that whether you are a sole practitioner or the head of a large team in a big firm you have to be able to show that you have completed the training specified from time to time by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) for this purpose; and must have been entitled to practise as a lawyer for at least 36 months within the last ten years; and must be able to demonstrate this if asked by the SRA.

The training presently specified by the SRA is attendance at or participation in any courses, or programmes of learning, on management skills involving attendance or participation for a minimum of 12 hours. The courses or programmes do not have to be CPD accredited in order to satisfy the requirement. This is not an annual requirement but even so any supervisory and management skills need to be honed from time to time so completing the 12 hour target and focusing on improving areas of weakness and developing your strengths will have a positive impact on your business.

In the current turbulent market for legal services it pays to treat the need to be able to supervise and manage seriously. To compete with the new entrants to the marketplace needs a law firm which is fit for the purpose. As we all know getting fit is tough and needs a clear set of goals and someone who is passionate about achieving those goals. In other words, achieving success for your firm starts with some self examination and personal development which could produce significant rewards as well as achieving compliance with Rule 5.

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