DID YOU KNOW THAT THE SRA HAS JUST ANNOUNCED THAT THE ONLY COMPULSORY CPD COURSE FOR QUALIFIED LAWYERS IS NO LONGER COMPULSORY?
With immediate effect qualified fee earners no longer have to attend Management Course Stage 1 (MC1).
So good news then?
Some firms might see this as an opportunity to save money and cut back on this aspect of their lawyers’ professional development. We think that’s a mistake.
- Has understanding how law firms make money, bill and collect become any less relevant?
- Will lawyers’ responsibilities for managing trainees, paralegals and ultimately their own teams diminish in future?
- Is being a good lawyer the only qualification you need to be a good manager?
Any solicitor involved in managing a successful firm would say a resounding ‘No’.
AND ANOTHER GOOD REASON NOT TO NEGLECT MANAGEMENT TRAINING
The SRA may have announced that the compulsory nature of MC1 was not compatible with the forthcoming changes to the CPD regime. But under the new regime of continuing competence all solicitors will be required to be able to “Manage themselves and their own work” (Part D). Full details of the Statement of Solicitor Competence can be found on SRA website
So every solicitor still needs to work on their management skills. And the topics covered by MC1 should still form part of a solicitor’s personal development plan.
This is a fantastic opportunity for firms to reassess their management training and implement new programmes.
WHO ARE WE?
KinchRobinson have been designing and delivering outstanding courses for lawyers for 15 years. Our training is practical, focused and we like people to have fun.
Our experience of delivering MC1 and MC2 in conjunction with Birmingham Law Society has given us a great insight into what your solicitors need from management training. And we know that a one day course is too long for most people. So we’re developing a series of short courses and e-learning which will support solicitors as their careers develop.
If you want to discuss your specific management training requirements in more detail email Doug Robinson doug@kinchrobinson.com or call 07879 401567.
Alternatively speak to Liz Dziergas at BLS liz@birminghamlawsociety.co.uk or call 0121 2278701.
Doug Robinson, KinchRobinson