Newsletter – March 2021

From the CEO

What skills do lawyers need to possess before they can practice unsupervised, deserving of their clients’ trust and confidence? What do Costs Lawyers need to know? How should they behave? How is this changing?

We have recently launched a flagship project to articulate, challenge and refine our answers to these questions, hand in hand with the profession.     

In January we started work on the first phase of the project, which involves creating a modern and comprehensive competency framework for Costs Lawyers. This will set out the knowledge, skills and behaviours that we expect a competent Costs Lawyer to possess and exhibit when they enter the profession (i.e. at the point of qualification).

We are currently gathering evidence through multiple channels, including:

  • one-to-one interviews with newly qualified Costs Lawyers as well as supervisors of junior Costs Lawyers
  • focus groups with subject matter experts from a variety of fields, looking at the future of the profession and how a Costs Lawyer’s role is likely to change
  • analysis of work diaries and role descriptions
  • a testing exercise with senior Costs Lawyers to rank the importance of the competencies we identify
  • ongoing input on our methodology from our specialist Expert Panel
  • formal consultation with the profession and wider public

The resulting competency framework will provide a benchmark against which to review the learning outcomes, content and structure of the Costs Lawyer Qualification, to ensure that qualifying Costs Lawyers are well equipped to meet the expectations of their employers and clients into the future. We want to ensure that our regulatory rules allow for a Costs Lawyer Qualification that:

  • can be delivered flexibly, to suit student need, while achieving consistent and relevant learning outcomes;
  • addresses the unique combination of knowledge, skills and behaviours needed specifically by Costs Lawyers.

Work is already well underway and we hope to launch a consultation on the framework in the early summer. You might have already been asked to participate, but if you haven’t and you’re interested, we would love to hear from you.

Kate Wellington

CEO

Regulatory News

Call to publicise new client survey

We have recently launched a new client survey, which is now available on our website. We’re asking all Costs Lawyers to provide clients with a link to the survey at the end of a matter, by email and/or through your website. The feedback collected will help us understand clients’ experiences of using a Costs Lawyer.

Please note that the survey doesn’t ask the client to give your name – it seeks generic feedback, not feedback on any particular lawyer.

Following the Competition and Markets Authority’s legal services market study, and its recent progress review, we are engaged in a programme of work to play our part in responding to the findings. An important aspect of this is understanding how consumers engage with the legal services market and how they make effective choices when they need legal advice.

By encouraging your clients to complete our survey, you assist us in improving services across the board. You might like to tell clients that their participation will help ensure people experience a good outcome when they need a Costs Lawyer, and that it will only take a few minutes to complete.

Invitation to today’s Lawtech Sandbox Showcase

Got an idea that brings technology and costs together? Need help in developing it? The CLSB has been participating in the Lawtech Sandbox Pilot, designed to help pioneers with potentially transformative ideas, products and services.

The pilot is coming to a close, and we invite you to attend a free showcase at 3:30 to 5:30pm today to learn about the progress the tech pioneers have made, and hear about key insights learned along the way.

The event will explore:

  • How the pioneers are delivering transformational change
  • Tips on navigating legal services regulation
  • How law firms and in-house teams have contributed to the success of the pilot and how their participation has informed their approach to technology
  • How sharing data was made possible and how you can do it

The pioneers will be on standby to showcase their products and answer your questions in expo booths at the end of the event.

You can sign up for a free event ticket here.

Spotlight on… a strategy for reshaping legal services

In this newsletter, we turn our spotlight on opportunities for reshaping legal services. Steve Brooker, Head of Policy Development and Research at the Legal Services Board (LSB), explains how the LSB’s new sector-wide strategy is promoting collaboration to drive fairer outcomes, stronger confidence and better services.

“It’s a strategy that recognises that many of the challenges facing the sector are complex and a collaborative effort is needed to meet them. Costs Lawyers are a niche, specialist profession but many of the challenges are relevant to you. These include: dismantling barriers to a diverse and inclusive profession at all levels; ensuring high quality legal services and strong professional ethics; and closing gaps in consumer protection – work to address this last challenge will include taking a fresh view of which legal activities should be regulated.”

Read More

Up and Coming…

Expect more from us shortly on:

  • Updated guidance on client care letters and conflicts of interest
  • Results of the second coronavirus impact survey
  • A new model complaints procedure to help you pass our audit
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