Training Matters: How Law Firms Shape Their future Solicitors

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) published its Workplace Culture Thematic Review in 2022, offering a closer look at how law firms are supporting, or sometimes failing to support, their solicitors in training and development . The review found that while many firms are fostering positive environments and providing strong supervision, not all are. In particular, its noted that approaches to training and professional development can be inconsistent . The SRA describes professional development as “key to how firms support their employees”, this being alongside its identification that in some workplaces this support remains uneven. This inconsistency matters. For new lawyers, or anyone of a particular career, the early years of training sets the tone for their entire careers. As such, poor supervision doesn’t just affect performance, it shapes confidence and retention of employees. This is especially true in law, being a profession where standards are vital; inconsistent training risks creating uneven competence. This resonates with the wider challenge of entering the profession. Those fortunate enough to already have established networks can find ways to fill the gaps, through means such as mentoring or family connections. For others, however, poor training can mean being left behind before their careers have even begun. The SRA’s call for more consistency is a reminder that regulation isn’t just about rules, it’s about building a fair, high quality legal culture. This makes it clear that firms who invest in trainees protect their own standards as well as the profession’s.

1. Solicitors Regulation Authority, Workplace Culture Thematic Review (April 2024) https://www.sra.org.uk/sra/research-publications/workplace-culture-thematic-review/ accessed 27 April 2025
2. Ibid