FLEXIBILITY: decision opens way to firms delivering part of the course to their own trainees


Plans for the legal practice course (LPC) to become a two-stage qualification were approved by the board of the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) last week, raising the prospect of law firms being able to deliver part of the LPC to their own trainees.



Meeting in Birmingham, the board decided to decouple the requirements that students study the three core subjects - business, property and litigation - and the minimum of three elective subjects, meaning that from September 2009 they need not be taken in a single block.



The stated goal is to give both providers and students greater flexibility, although there has been considerable opposition from some LPC providers. Students will be able to taken the core and elective subjects at different providers and times, spreading the cost and allowing them to combine study with the training contract or other period of work-based learning - or they can continue to study them together.



A paper before the board said: 'Some students and training establishments will wish to take up the educational benefits of trainee solicitors studying one or more of their electives immediately before embarking on the relevant seat or work-based learning. Some firms have expressed an interest in being authorised to deliver electives tailored to the firm's work and clients.'



The board's education and training committee was not united in making its recommendation, but said this was its 'clear' choice. Some members preferred not to decouple the electives, and instead enhance existing options for students to defer or transfer their studies to another provider with the SRA's approval, as is currently required.



However, following a consultation, the board decided not to proceed with proposals as drafted to introduce exemptions from the LPC. There is now to be further work to develop a scheme where exemptions from attendance at elements of the LPC will be allowed against a list of acceptable qualifications.



SRA chief executive Antony Townsend said: 'From September 2009, LPC providers will have more flexibility in how they deliver the qualification, both in terms of subject emphasis and how the course may be studied. The revised course will focus on the key outcomes that aspiring solicitors need to demonstrate before they start their training contract or work-based learning.



'By focusing on outcomes, we will continue to ensure that high standards of course delivery are maintained. LPC providers will also be able to meet the varying demands of students and their firms in new and innovative ways.'



Neil Rose