SRA Statement of Solicitor Competence B

B. Technical legal practice

  • Obtain relevant facts, including

a) Obtaining relevant information through effective use of questioning and active listening

b) Finding, analysing and assessing documents to extract relevant information

c) Recognising when additional information is needed

d) Interpreting and evaluating information obtained

e) Recording and presenting information accurately and clearly


  • Undertake legal research, including

a) Recognising when legal research is required

b) Using appropriate methods and resources to undertake the research

c) Identifying, finding and assessing the relevance of sources of law

d) Interpreting, evaluating and applying the results of the research

e) Recording and presenting the findings accurately and clearly


  • Develop and advise on relevant options, strategies and solutions, including

a) Understanding and assessing a client's commercial and personal circumstances, their needs, objectives, priorities and constraints

b) Ensuring that advice is informed by appropriate legal and factual analysis and identifies the consequences of different options


  • Draft documents which are legally effective and accurately reflect the client's instructions including

a) Being able to draft documents from scratch as well as making appropriate use of precedents

b) Addressing all relevant legal and factual issues

c) Complying with appropriate formalities

d) Using clear, accurate and succinct language


  • Undertake effective spoken and written advocacy*, including

a) Preparing effectively by identifying and mastering relevant facts and legal principles

b) Organising facts to support the argument or position

c) Presenting a reasoned argument in a clear, logical, succinct and persuasive way

d) Making appropriate reference to legal authority

e) Complying with formalities

f) Dealing with witnesses appropriately

g) Responding effectively to questions or opposing arguments

h) Identifying strengths and weaknesses from different parties' perspectives.

Note *: Note this applies to advocacy both in and out of court


  • Negotiate solutions to clients' issues, including

a) Identifying all parties’ interests, objectives and limits

b) Developing and formulating best options for meeting parties' objectives

c) Presenting options for compromise persuasively

d) Responding to options presented by the other side

e) Developing compromises between options or parties


  • Plan, manage and progress legal cases and transactions, including

a) Applying relevant processes and procedures to progress the matter effectively

b) Assessing, communicating and managing risk

c) Bringing the transaction or case to a conclusion