Law Society set to face fresh training reform calls

The Law Society could face fresh calls for an overhaul of legal education when it splits its regulatory and representative arms next year, it has emerged, just days after Chancery Lane rolled out the next stage in the controversial review.

Under the latest proposals, which have been agreed by both the Training Framework Review Group (TFRG) and the society's standards board, only students with prior qualifications will be able to win exemption from completing the Legal Practice Course (LPC).

It is understood the plans may also allow licensed conveyancers to leapfrog parts of the LPC, although the Law Society has not revealed the full extent of the plans.

Otherchangescouldincludecompulsory tests covering business skills and professional conduct as well as regular performance assessments for each student during the LPC programme. However, the course itself is likely to remain in place.

The latest twist in the controversial review follows the claim of one TFRG member that legal education could face another review when the new regulatory board responsible for education takes over in January.

The body is being set up in line with Sir David Clementi's recommendations that front-line regulators should split their regulatory and representative functions.

TFRG chair Sue Nelson told Legal Week: "They could come back and say we want more radical plans or they could say nothing, which would be even more extraordinary."

Nelson added the TFRG would be meeting with the society's standards board next month before submitting its final proposals to council in December.

"We need to work up more detail on some of those strands of work [and then] we will be ready to put more flesh on the bones," she said.

The society's 106-member council is expected to make a final decision on the watered-down package after a vote in December.