LETR released: system must be enhanced to make it future-fit

After two years of research, punctuated by anticipation (and delay), the Legal Education and Training Review (LETR) research report has been published today, broadly stating that while the current system is not “fundamentally broken”, there is room for improvement.

In June 2011 the three leading regulators of legal services - the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), Bar Standards Board (BSB) and ILEX Professional Standards - commissioned the UKCLE Research Consortium, led by Professor Julian Webb of the University of Warwick, to prepare the report. This was an acknowledgement that the legal profession is undergoing significant change (eg, the advent of alternative business structures and legal aid reforms).

The 335-page report recognises that while the existing system offers a good standard of legal education and training, there are a number of ways in which quality, accessibility and flexibility must be enhanced, to ensure the system remains fit for the future.

According to the Law Gazette, the report proposes a range of "incremental" reforms, including 26 key recommendations. They include that:

• standards must be established for the knowledge, skills and attributes of those entering the profession;
• regulators should consider more focus on ethics and professionalism, rather than a limited focus on conduct rules or principles;
• skills such as commercial awareness and communication should become part of legal education; and
• training policies should reflect the fact that many more people will enter the profession through apprenticeships, as paralegals and on work experience placements.

Initial responses to publication of the report have been published, although more detailed analysis is expected over the coming weeks. SRA Chair Charles Plant said: "Our programme of reforms to education and training will be driven by three overarching aims: that clients and the public should have the highest confidence in the quality and integrity of legal services; that organisations providing legal services should be able to employ lawyers with the skills needed to deliver those services; and that people with the ability to practise law, whatever their background, should be able to obtain the education and training they need in a way which encourages excellence and diversity."

Director of the BSB Dr Vanessa Davies said: "The report identifies plenty of challenges for the future. I am pleased, nevertheless, that it recognises that the current system provides a good standard of education and training upon which to build. I also welcome its recognition of the need for professional ethics to be at the core of legal education. The next step is for the BSB to consider the recommendations more fully. This extensive report provides us with some invaluable insights on which to base our decision-making as to how we carry out our regulatory duties in the public interest in the future."

Nick Hanning, CILEx president, said: "This is a valuable piece of work. It is the first time that research into legal education and training has so carefully evaluated the contribution CILEx's educational approach makes to legal services. I'm pleased to see the report gives mainstream recognition of CILEx's approach over the last 50 years, and as we continue to lead the way with apprenticeships it is good to see these are highlighted in the report."

Maura McGowan QC, Chairman of the Bar, said: "We welcome the publication of the LETR, which we have been expecting and anticipating for some time. Entrance to the profession remains one of our biggest challenges and one which we take exceptionally seriously. As a profession, we are committed to attracting a diverse pool of the most talented applicants. However, we also recognise the shrinking number of places available, particularly at the publicly funded Bar, and the rising cost of entering the profession. To that extent, a wholesale review of training is welcome."

The full report is available to read online. More reactions and analysis on LawCareers.Net to follow over the coming days.