By Anita Rice


Three out of four solicitors would undertake advocacy in the higher courts if current restrictions on rights of audience were removed, according to a Law Society online survey.



The news comes as the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is seeking an extension to the accreditation and exemption routes to higher rights to the end of 2008 so as to give it time to develop a voluntary training and assessment scheme that would begin on 1 January 2009.



Under this, solicitors would no longer need accreditation to appear in the higher courts, but would be strongly advised of its virtues in order to satisfy the competency requirements.



Of the 402 solicitors who took part in the poll, 73% said they would represent clients in higher courts if able to, 79% would join a voluntary accreditation scheme and 86% would undertake specific training.



At its meeting in Birmingham last week, the board of the SRA heard that the Lord Chancellor, Jack Straw, 'has indicated in correspondence that the Ministry of Justice is agreeable to the proposals for change made by the SRA board subject to the advancement of work to develop the voluntary scheme'.



Jonathan Spencer, chairman of the SRA's education and training committee, said market forces would create an expectation that solicitors were accredited.



The Law Society has argued that allowing solicitors to undertake straightforward advocacy work would give clients continuity of representation, and encourage cost and efficiency savings.



Helen Davies, chairwoman of the Law Society's regulatory affairs board, welcomed the proposals: 'The SRA's voluntary accreditation scheme will be very popular with the profession. We are confident this will guarantee an appropriate level of skill and ensure public confidence.'