SRA Statement of Solicitor Competence A
A. Ethics, professionalism and judgment.
Act honestly and with integrity, in accordance with legal and regulatory requirements and the SRA Handbook and Code of Conduct, including
a) Recognising ethical issues and exercising effective judgement in addressing them
b) Understanding and applying the ethical concepts which govern their role and behaviour as a lawyer
c) Identifying the relevant SRA principles and rules of professional conduct and following them
d) Resisting pressure to condone, ignore or commit unethical behaviour
e) Respecting diversity and acting fairly and inclusively
Maintain the level of competence and legal knowledge needed to practise effectively, taking into account changes in their role and/or practice context and developments in the law, including
a) Taking responsibility for personal learning and development
b) Reflecting on and learning from practice and learning from other people
c) Accurately evaluating their strengths and limitations in relation to the demands of their work
d) Maintaining an adequate and up-to-date understanding of relevant law, policy and practice
e) Adapting practice to address developments in the delivery of legal services
Work within the limits of their competence and the supervision, which they need, including
a) Disclosing when work is beyond their personal capability
b) Recognising when they have made mistakes or are experiencing difficulties and taking appropriate action
c) Seeking and making effective use of feedback, guidance and support where needed
d) Knowing when to seek expert advice
Draw on a sufficient detailed knowledge and understanding of their field(s) of work and role in order to practise effectively, including
a) Identifying relevant legal principles
b) Applying legal principles to factual issues, so as to produce a solution which best addresses a client's needs and reflects the client's commercial or personal circumstances
c) Spotting issues that are outside their expertise and taking appropriate action, using both an awareness of a broad base of legal knowledge* (insofar as relevant to their practice area) and detailed knowledge of their practice area
Note *: Legal System of England and Wales , constitutional law and EU law (including human rights), contract law, torts, ethics, professional conduct and regulation, including money laundering and solicitors accounts, criminal law and evidence, criminal litigation, civil litigation, property law, wills and administration of estates, trusts and equitable wrongs, law of and taxation, and other areas relevant to the solicitor's particular field of practice
Apply understanding, critical thinking and analysis to solve problems, including
a) Assessing information to identify key issues and risks
b) Recognising inconsistencies and gaps in information
c) Evaluating the quality and reliability of information
d) Using multiple sources of information to make effective judgements
e) Reaching reasoned decisions supported by relevant evidence