The Law Society last week moved away, for the time being, from controversial plans to make the legal practice course (LPC) non-compulsory.

The Society received more than 200 responses to its consultation on a radical overhaul of training so as to focus on knowledge at the point of qualification.


Under the revised plans - which have been broadly welcomed by students, LPC providers and law firms - candidates will still be required to study the LPC. However, those with relevant experience will be able to obtain exemption from parts of the course.


The Law Society is also considering whether to allow the elective elements to be studied independently of the core LPC, which could reduce students' costs.


Centrally set assessments - possibly using computer-based testing - will be introduced for the financial, business skills and professional ethics modules initially.


Proposals for 'robust' assessment of trainees' work-based learning through the completion of a 6,000-word portfolio during the training contract will also go ahead. However, the Society said it will 'take into account concerns raised' in relation to the 'potential costs' of specially trained supervising solicitors.


Chief executive Janet Paraskeva added: 'The training framework review was always intended to be an evolutionary process, building on the strengths and successes of the present system but making it fit for the future.'


She said central assessments without the need to study a prescribed course would provide the chance to see how students perform when they are free to decide how to prepare for assessments. 'It could also help with future consideration of the need for compulsory courses,' she added.


Law Society head of education and training Julie Swan said: 'We pointed out in our original consultation that we expected most students to do the LPC course, but we wanted to introduce flexibility.


'We are dipping our toe in the water. We will be looking at how the LPC providers use the greater flexibility, and how students with exemptions use that, before deciding if we can give even greater freedom.'


Peter Wright, chairman of the Trainee Solicitors Group, said: 'A lot of the proposals are now quite sound, and acceptable to students and LPC providers. We support the idea of centrally set assessments and hope this will be developed to other elements of the LPC. We also hope that the fact that the elective elements can be studied independently will help to reduce costs for students.'


Carl Lygo, chairman of course provider BPP's law division, said: 'Providers will be very pleased with this as it is a sensible middle ground. It proves that the Law Society has listened to its members.'


John Trotter, training principal at City firm Lovells, added: 'We always said there should be more flexibility. But keeping the LPC will give structure and certainty to the process, and help maintain standards.'


The Law Society Council will vote on the package in December.