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On completion of the Legal Practice Course (LPC), trainees undertake a two-year training contract. Traditionally, a trainee works in four different areas of law for a period of six months each, known as 'seats', although the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) only stipulates that you should work in three different areas of law. During this time, trainees have to attend and pass the Professional Skills Course (PSC) which the employer pays for.
The Law Society of England and Wales requires its members to take responsibility for personal professional development and records and accredits professional development through the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) scheme. Currently, the Law Society's rules require all solicitors to undertake 16 hours of CPD per year, at least 25% of which must be participation in accredited training courses. Large firms may run such courses in-house. Solicitors in private practice or working in-house for commercial companies or other organisations generally have their course fees paid by their employer.
In addition, practitioners may undertake diploma or Masters programmes. Some employers may require employees to take part in internal training, e.g., computer training.
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