Good training practices are already ‘embedded’ in most firms without the need to comply with mandatory continuing professional development requirements, according to research by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

In an analysis of 750 firms the regulator found that good training practices such as shadowing work colleagues, undergoing ‘post-transactional analysis’, and role stretching, where staff perform tasks above their job description, are already common place in firms of all sizes.

From November 2016 solicitors will no longer have to undergo the mandatory 16-hour CPD requirement and will instead have to sign an annual declaration pledging their commitment to CPD. 

Julie Brannan (pictured), SRA director of education and training, said: ‘The research demonstrates there is not a one size fits all approach to training and it’s not just about finishing the CPD training requirements.’ 

The full research is expected to be published in the next month and will inform the regulator’s provision of non-mandatory guidance, which will provide examples of best training practice.

The regulator will cease to accredit CPD courses from November 2014. It also intends to issue a ‘toolkit’ to support a ‘culture change’ to the new approach.