The Future of Legal Education and Training
Phase II, Implementation
*News" - At the 2009 AGM Phase I of this project was considered by the profession and, as promised at the AGM, the first draft of Education and Training Policy's project plan can now be downloaded from the right hand side of this page. It is a work in progress and the draft will be updated regularly. We are committed to sharing the final project plan, and costings, at the 2009 SGM in September.
This communication is designed to update the Society’s stakeholders on our plans in relation to (i) the end of Phase I of our project, being the finalisation of a policy framework for the future of legal education, training, and CPD and (ii) the commencement of Phase II, implementation.
Phase I - the Society's consultation, 'Shaping the Future of Legal Education', closed in February 2007. Over 900 responses were received and analysed, leading to a detailed policy paper 'Discussing the Detail', closing in February 2008. The Society's Education and Training Committee changed its policy direction in some respects as a result of both consultations and, draft policies having been endorsed by Council, launched 'The Way Forward', a set of seven policy proposals. Responses to the policy proposals were received by February 2009.
This week, the profession has been sent, as part of AGM papers, a policy framework and detail on plans for Phase II of this monumental change to the way in which solicitors are educated, trained and maintain their CPD in Scotland. You can download the final policy paper from this page.
The Society would like all those who took the time and effort to engage in our two consultations, and submit response to our final policy paper, to note:
The policy framework in the paper presented to the profession in anticipation of the AGM, comprising seven policy proposals, largely reflects the policy proposals contained in 'The Way Forward', subject to minor amendments as a result of responses to that paper.
- It is the Society's role as regulator to analyse the various responses, and balance the interests and requirements of different stakeholders. However, ultimately as regulator it must propose a policy framework which is (i) fit for purpose (ii) ensures a rigorous and respected route to qualification and understanding of life-long learning within the solicitors' profession in Scotland and (ii) stands up to scrutiny.
- A ‘cradle to grave’ approach to education and training is the largest ever change management programme in education and training undertaken by the Law Society of Scotland. It involves several stages of professional training, all interconnected and dependent on the others’ success, if a new regime is to be successfully implemented in Scotland. The timescales being presented to the profession at the AGM this month reflect the interdependence of the different strands of work.
- Over-arching timescales have now been proposed. These are that (i) universities be accredited in time to allow the implementation and delivery of the revised Foundation Programme and PEAT 1 stages during the 2011/2012 academic year, that (ii) training firms must run a full, outcomes-based PEAT 2 programme, incorporating trainee CPD, from 2011 onwards and that (iii) a revised CPD regime will be introduced for the commencement of the 2011/2012 practice year.
- Development work on the detail underpinning the seven policy proposals, in the form of working parties and reference groups is ongoing in anticipation of the conclusion of Phase I and commencement of Phase II.
All of these strands of work are dependent on, and will be progressed if the policy framework is noted and development work agreed at the Society's Annual General Meeting on Thursday, 28th May. This will be the conclusion of Phase I of the project. Phase II requires the development of a project plan to account for (i) transitional measures and change management (particularly in relation to universities, training organisations and those on the route to qualification) and (ii) implementation. This project plan will include detail on timescales, resources and costs, and will be made public on the Society’s website in the form of a draft project plan and thereafter will be presented to the 2009 SGM.
Thank you for showing an interest in this project during Phase I, and we very much look forward to engaging with you so that we may effectively deliver the new regime in Phase II. Meantime, if you have any queries, please get in touch with:
Liz Campbell – lizcampbell@lawscot.org.uk
Collette Paterson – collettepaterson@lawscot.org.uk
Thank you.
Christine McLintock – Convener, Education and Training Committee
Liz Campbell – Director (Education and Training)
Collette Paterson - Deputy Director (Education and Training)
