What are the SRA competencies?

Feb 06, 2024

Written By Annabel Gooden

Competence – or capability – is required of all solicitors. Of course, it seems obvious that lawyers should have the skills and knowledge needed to provide accurate legal advice. However, competence is also important for ensuring that legal services are of a high quality and meet the requirements of the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).

Why do the SRA competencies matter?

The SRA's competencies are a list of standards expected of solicitors who practise in England and Wales. They form the basis of the SRA’s Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) assessments. If you hope to qualify as a solicitor you should be able to demonstrate these competencies.

Are the SRA competencies the same for all solicitors?

They are not designed to be strict rules, but a flexible set of standards that you will develop as your career progresses. Consider how the job description for a trainee would differ to that of a senior partner, for example. Though some of the core skills and professional standards are more or less the same, more will be expected from senior lawyers who have more experience. The SRA’s threshold standard here sets out the thresholds expected at different stages of your career. Upon qualification, trainees must reach level three.

To comply with the SRA’s Code of Conduct, you must continually maintain your competence throughout your career to ensure that the advice you give to clients remains up to date. The SRA has set out several steps you should take to meet their requirements. For more on this, see our dedicated guidance here.

What do the SRA competencies involve?

The SRA defines competence as “the ability to perform the roles and tasks required by one’s job to the expected standard” (Eraut & du Boulay, 2001). Solicitors are required to be competent in four key areas:

- Ethics, professionalism and judgement

- Technical legal practice

- Working with other people

- Managing themselves and their own work

Under each core competency, there are detailed requirements. You can see the SRA’s Statement of Solicitor Competence here for a full breakdown of each competency area. What solicitors must be able to do in each area is outlined below:

Ethics, professionalism and judgement

A1. Act honestly and with integrity, in accordance with legal and regulatory requirements and the SRA Standards and Regulations

A2. Maintain the level of competence and legal knowledge needed to practise effectively, taking into account changes in their role and/or practice context and developments in the law

A3. Work within the limits of their competence and the supervision which they need

A4. Draw on a sufficient detailed knowledge and understanding of their field(s) of work and role in order to practise effectively

A5. Apply understanding, critical thinking and analysis to solve problems

Technical legal practice

B1. Obtain relevant facts

B2. Undertake legal research

B3. Develop and advise on relevant options, strategies and solutions

B4. Draft documents which are legally effective and accurately reflect the client’s instructions

B5. Undertake effective spoken and written advocacy

B6. Negotiate solutions to clients’ issues

B7. Plan, manage and progress legal cases and transactions

Working with other people

C1. Communicate clearly and effectively, orally and in writing

C2. Establish and maintain effective and professional relations with clients

C3. Establish and maintain effective and professional relations with other people

Managing themselves and their own work

D1. Initiate, plan, prioritise and manage work activities and projects to ensure that they are completed efficiently, on time and to an appropriate standard, both in relation to their own work and work that they lead or supervise

D2. Keep, use and maintain accurate, complete and clear records

D3. Apply good business practice

The SRA competencies and the SQE route

In order to qualify as a solicitor under the new Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) route, which is being phased in to replace the old LPC, you must complete two years Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) and satisfy the SRA’s character and suitability requirements.

For your work experience to count as QWE you will need to demonstrate that you have developed a minimum of two competencies, which can be any of those listed in the Statement of Competence. Whoever signs off your QWE must confirm that your work has met this requirement. Although two is the minimum, it is best to develop as wide a range of competencies as possible as this will make you a skilled and well-rounded solicitor.

Your competence is also formally assessed through the SQE exams.

SRA Competencies and the LPC route

Do you still have to demonstrate the SRA competencies if you have studied the LPC? Yes if, after completing the LPC, you choose to complete QWE and SQE2 in place of a traditional training contract. However, if you are proceeding with the old route to qualification, this is not required.

SQE