Solicitor, Scotland : Training

Currently, the final stage for qualification as a solicitor in Scotland is the traineeship, a two year training contract with a practicing solicitor. Firms that take on trainees are required to review their progress and submit quarterly performance reviews (QPRs), reviews to the Law Society of Scotland. Trainees also attend a skills based two week course called the Professional Competence Course (PCC). This consists of 36 hours of core and 18 hours of elective modules.

From 2011, the traineeship will become Professional Education and Training Stage 2 (PEAT 2), which will follow on from PEAT 1. The QPRs will be more in depth and there will be increased guidance for the training organisation. Trainees will be required to go through 60 hours of accredited continuing professional development (CPD) during PEAT 2, which will replace the existing Professional Competence Course (PCC). The aim of these changes is to offer more flexibility and choice.

At the end of the two-year training period, and before gaining a full practising certificate from the Society, trainees must be approved by their employer as fit and proper persons to enter the profession.

To maintain your practising certificate as a qualified solicitor it is necessary to complete 20 hours of continuing professional development (CPD) each year. See the Law Society of Scotland  for further details.

Both before and after qualifying employers expect and help you to develop expertise in areas of particular relevance to your work. You need to keep up to date with relevant developments in the law, legal affairs and business methods.