More training for criminal advocates

The Joint Advocacy Group has launched a consultation on proposals for a scheme to quality assure criminal advocates.

The Joint Advocacy Group, established by the Bar Standards Board, the Solicitors Regulation Authority and ILEX professional standards, was set up to develop a scheme to quality assure criminal advocacy across the three professions: the Bar, solicitors and legal executives.

The SRA says the scheme will build on the existing education framework for entry into advocacy to develop a rigorous assessment process to ensure that adequate standards are attained at the start of an advocate’s career.