Equivalent Means - Legal Practice Course v4

Equivalent meansLegal Practice Course

This application is for an assessment of the equivalence of professional qualifications and experience of individuals who are seeking recognition against the SRA specified outcomes for the Legal Practice Course.

Please use this form if you are a seeking to gain exemption from all of Stage 1, all of Stage 2, or both Stage 1 and Stage 2 of the Legal Practice Course (LPC).

If you are seeking exemption for some part of either Stage 1 or Stage 2, you should apply directly to your chosen LPC provider before commencing that course.

Please do NOT use this form if you are:

a Barrister qualified in the UK a fully qualified EU lawyer eligible under the provisions of Directive 2005/36/EC and the Qualified

Lawyers Transfer Scheme Regulations 2011

You should use the QLTS 1 form.

Please do NOT use this form if you are:

an EU, EEA or Swiss national who is partially qualified in another EU/EEA Member State or a UK national who is partially qualified in an EU/EEA Member State outside of the UK

You should use the Equivalent Means – Morgenbesser form.

To qualify as a solicitor the SRA Training Regulations 2014 specify you must complete the academic stage and the vocational stage of training. For more information on this please refer to the Information for Students.

The aims of the LPC are to prepare you for training and to provide a general foundation for practice. For more information on the Legal Practice Course you should read the Information for providers of the LPC. This will also include the detailed outcomes for the course.

This form is designed to enable you to provide us with the necessary evidence of the qualifications and/or work-based learning you have achieved which are equivalent to the LPC outcomes. This will enable us to assess it against the outcomes we have specified for the LPC.

We will evaluate the evidence you have provided to establish to what extent you have met these outcomes. We may decide that you have met all of the outcomes and grant exemption. Alternatively, we may refuse to grant exemption, and recommend that you undertake further learning or assessment to meet the required outcomes or apply to an LPC provider for partial exemption.

If you need any help completing this form after reading the guidance, please contact us.

PART A - Guidance on completing the form

Please read the Information on Equivalent Means on our website before you complete this form. This will explain the key principles which we will apply in assessing your application and the fees that apply.

If you can evidence that you meet the outcomes, you should include this information on the assessment table (Section 6). There are no restrictions on what evidence you can put forward towards an assessment. Please also ensure that you read the Legal Practice Course outcomes.

Format

Please do not submit any of your evidence within binders, folders or plastic wallets. Please provide two copies of your evidence. All documents must be numbered and referenced to the outcomes listed on the assessment table in

section 6 of this form. The evidence should be easily separated from your application. One copy will be sent to our

assessor. Please provide a certified copy of your marriage certificate, or statutory declaration if your name is

now different from that shown on any of the original documents. Original copies of references provided by employers, lawyers or judges.

Evidence

You are strongly advised to go through each element of the indicative content listed for each outcome in order to show us how you have achieved that outcome through your experience of the practice of the law of England and Wales.

If you do not specifically claim to have achieved an outcome, then we will assume that you have not met it.

Work experience

Where you are relying on work experience to demonstrate that you satisfy outcomes, you must give details of:

the duration of your work experience and the number of hours worked (e.g. per week); the level of employment (e.g. whether employed as paralegal or as qualified lawyer) and how much

responsibility you held and whether your were supervised; the nature of work undertaken (this should relate to the outcomes specified in the assessment table in

section 6).

All work experience claimed must be supported with references from employers. References must corroborate the work experience evidence provided and be:

written by a named person who could be contacted for verification if necessary, including your supervisor where your work was supervised;

recent (within 3 months prior to your application being received by the SRA); and written for the purpose of this application.

What will happen next?

We will assess your application on the basis of the information and evidence you have provided. We will look to process your application within 12 weeks of receiving all the evidence. For more

complex circumstances the assessment may take longer. When we have completed the assessment, you will receive our decision and any recommendations in

writing.

PART B - The application form

Section 1. Personal Details

Title First Name

Middle Name(s) Last Name

Date of Birth SRA ID (if applicable)

Telephone (day) Mobile No.

Email Address Nationality*

Passport number/identity card number

*Please include supporting evidence of your nationality, for example a certified copy of your passport or identity card.

Section 2. Home address (this should be your permanent address)

House number / Name Address Line 1

Address Line 2 Address Line 3

City County

Country Postcode

Section 2. (continued) Correspondence address (if different to home address)

House number / Name Address Line 1

Address Line 2 Address Line 3

City County

Country Postcode

Section 3. Degrees and diplomas

Institution Title of qualification Course start date Course end date

Section 4. Professional examinations passed and courses attended

Institution Title of qualification Course start date Course end date

For Section 3 and Section 4 please continue on a separate sheet if necessary.

Please note we reserve the right to request original or certified copies of certificates

Section 5. Professional experience and employment

Organisation Name Organisation SRA ID (if applicable)

Address Line 1 Address Line 2

City County

Country Postcode

Dated started at organisation Date left organisation

Organisation Name Organisation SRA ID (if applicable)

Address Line 1 Address Line 2

City County

Country Postcode

Dated started at organisation Date left organisation

Organisation Name Organisation SRA ID (if applicable)

Address Line 1 Address Line 2

City County

Country Postcode

Dated started at organisation Date left organisation

Please continue on a separate sheet if necessary.

Section 6. The assessment table

Please provide us with evidence to show us how you have met the following learning outcomes. This is a critical part of your application. Please refer to Part A for guidance on how to complete this table. We must be satisfied that you have achieved the relevant outcomes. These are the outcomes which you should have achieved if you had successfully completed the Legal Practice Course. Please ensure that you read the detailed outcomes for the Legal Practice Course: these describe more specifically the outcomes for each of the subject areas in Stage 1. Further information on the Legal Practice Course Outcomes 2011 is available on the SRA website.

Outcome to be demonstrated

Knowledge and skills claimed and how achieved

Areas of law and practice in which

outcome achieved

Evidence in support (e.g. letter, certificate,

reference, job description)

Assessors comments only

STAGE 1

Professional Conduct and regulation:

The Principles and Code of Conduct

Understand the key ethical requirements contained in the SRA Principles of Regulation and Code of Conduct and in particular in relation to:

A solicitor’s relationship with 3rd parties

running of the business the solicitor’s

relationship with the regulator

duties to others

and understand where these may impact and be able to apply them in context

Be able to identify the client's                        

Outcome to be demonstrated

Knowledge and skills claimed and how achieved

Areas of law and practice in which

outcome achieved

Evidence in support (e.g. letter, certificate,

reference, job description)

Assessors comments only

objectives and different means of achieving those objectives and be aware of

the financial, commercial and personal priorities and constraints to be taken into account

the costs, benefits and risks involved in transactions or courses of action

Able to perform the tasks required to advance transactions or matters

Financial Services Regulation

Understanding of the purpose and scope of financial services regulation including:

understanding of the financial services regulatory framework in general (including authorisation), and how it applies to solicitors’ firms

the ability to recognise when relevant financial

Outcome to be demonstrated

Knowledge and skills claimed and how achieved

Areas of law and practice in which

outcome achieved

Evidence in support (e.g. letter, certificate,

reference, job description)

Assessors comments only

services issues arise

the ability to apply financial services provisions to the types of work covered by the Core Practice Areas

the ability to identify and find appropriate sources of information on financial services.

Money Laundering regulation:

Familiarity with the legislation, including the international context;

The ability to recognise circumstances encountered in the course of practice where suspicion of money laundering should be reported in accordance with the legislation, with particular reference to those types of legal work covered by Stage 1.

Solicitors Accounts

A basic understanding of the

Outcome to be demonstrated

Knowledge and skills claimed and how achieved

Areas of law and practice in which

outcome achieved

Evidence in support (e.g. letter, certificate,

reference, job description)

Assessors comments only

Solicitors Accounts Rules 2011, including the requirements to:

keep other people's money separate from money belonging to the solicitor or the solicitor's firm;

keep other people's money safely in a bank or building society account identifiable as a client account;

use each client's money for that client's matters only;

use money held as trustee of a trust for the purposes of that trust only;

establish and maintain proper accounting systems and proper internal controls over those systems to ensure compliance with the rules;

keep proper accounting records to show accurately the position with regard to the money held for each client and trust;

account for interest on

Outcome to be demonstrated

Knowledge and skills claimed and how achieved

Areas of law and practice in which

outcome achieved

Evidence in support (e.g. letter, certificate,

reference, job description)

Assessors comments only

other people's money in accordance with the rules;

co-operate with the SRA in checking compliance with the rules; and

deliver annual accountant's reports as required by the rules.

And able to:

recognise, record and interpret receipts into and payments from office and client accounts as well as transfers between office and client accounts and between two client accounts;

prepare a simple statement for clients on completion of a matter.

Wills and Administration of Estates

Knowledge of the content, format and validity of wills, obtaining grants of representation and administration of an estate and should be familiar with the purpose and general structure

Outcome to be demonstrated

Knowledge and skills claimed and how achieved

Areas of law and practice in which

outcome achieved

Evidence in support (e.g. letter, certificate,

reference, job description)

Assessors comments only

of the relevant documents and the ability to:

use the legal knowledge, skills, procedures and behaviours appropriate to the client

identify the client's goals and alternative means of achieving those goals, and deal appropriately with client care

recognise conduct issues and act within the Code of Conduct

identify the client’s reasonable expectations as to quality and timeliness of service.

Taxation

Sufficient knowledge of tax law to be able to understand the impact of taxation (Income Tax, Corporation Tax, Capital Gains Tax, Inheritance tax and VAT) on the areas covered by the course and be able to:

use the legal knowledge,

Outcome to be demonstrated

Knowledge and skills claimed and how achieved

Areas of law and practice in which

outcome achieved

Evidence in support (e.g. letter, certificate,

reference, job description)

Assessors comments only

skills, procedures and behaviours appropriate to the client;

recognise conduct issues and act within the Code of Conduct;

identify the client’s reasonable expectations as to quality and timeliness of service

STAGE 1 – CORE PRACTICE AREAS

Demonstrate their knowledge, understanding and skills in the areas of:

Business Law and Practice                        

Property Law and Practice                        

Civil Litigation                        

Criminal Litigation                        

STAGE 1- SKILLS

Outcome to be demonstrated

Knowledge and skills claimed and how achieved

Areas of law and practice in which

outcome achieved

Evidence in support (e.g. letter, certificate,

reference, job description)

Assessors comments only

Have a basic competence in the course skills and be able to use them effectively under supervision. For more detail on the skills outcomes you should refer to the Legal Practice Course outcomes.

Practical Legal Research                        

Writing                        

Drafting                        

Interviewing and Advising                        

Advocacy                        

STAGE 2 – 3 VOCATIONAL ELECTIVES

be able identify the client's goals and alternative means of achieving those goals, and deal appropriately with client care

be able to investigate and identify the relevant facts, research and identify the relevant legal issues, and advise the client on the legal

Outcome to be demonstrated

Knowledge and skills claimed and how achieved

Areas of law and practice in which

outcome achieved

Evidence in support (e.g. letter, certificate,

reference, job description)

Assessors comments only

consequences

be able to recognise conduct issues and act within the Code of Conduct

be able to identify the client’s reasonable expectations as to quality and timeliness of service

Section 7. Supporting references for training / work experience

All work experience claimed must be supported with references from employers. References must corroborate the work experience evidence provided.

References must be:

written by a named person who could be contacted for verification if necessary, including your supervisor where your work was supervised;

recent (within 3 months prior to your application being received by the SRA);

written for the purpose of this application; and

written on letter headed paper or sent from professional email accounts, wherever possible.

The two referees must be:

solicitors of England and Wales, or

lawyers of an EU jurisdiction, or

previous or current employers.

The referees must not be personal friends or family members.

Please note, we will not write or chase referees for references. It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide two references and the application may not be processed until two complete references are received.

Section 8. Declaration

This declaration must be completed in all cases.

Knowingly or recklessly giving the SRA information which is false or misleading, or failure to inform the SRA of materially significant information, may lead to disciplinary action by the SRA.

We may need to contact third parties, such as education providers, in order to verify the information given in this form. By completing this declaration you are giving us your permission to do this. All information provided by you will be treated securely and strictly in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998.

The SRA will revoke any decision if it was granted as a result of error or fraud.

I confirm that:

I am the individual named on this application and have read the guidance notes.

I give permission for the SRA to make such investigations as necessary in the course of verifying the information given in this form.

I agree to notify the SRA of any other information relevant to the application and inform the SRA immediately of any changes to the information provided.

I declare that the information I have provided is true and correct.

Full Name SRA ID (if applicable)

Applicant Signature Date

If completed electronically please tick to say you confirm the declaration.

Please note if the form is not signed and the fee is not received your application will not be processed.

Section 9. Returning the form

To help us process your application quickly, please check that:

The declaration has been signed and dated.

Any additional sheets are labelled and attached to this form.

Full payment is included. If not paying by cheque, completed method of payment form is enclosed.

Any relevant documentation is enclosed, including a copy of proof of name change, for example deed poll or marriage certificate.

Please send the fully completed application form and £600 fee via one of the options below:

Email

[email protected] - This facility is only available if paying by bank transfer.

Post

AuthorisationSolicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) The Cube 199 Wharfside Street Birmingham B1 1RN

DX

DX720293 Birmingham 47

Methods of Payment form

Please complete the Methods of Payment form attached at the foot of this document. You can pay the full amount by cheque, postal order, bank transfer or credit card. Please note Diners or American Express cards are not accepted. Cheques should be made payable to the Law Society.

Please note that we will hold any payment we receive without an accompanying application form for up to 30 days before returning it to the sender.

Bank Transfer payments

If paying directly from your bank account, you must ensure you instruct your bank to pay us, as we are unable to request the payment for you.

Credit/Debit card payments

If you are paying by credit/debit card, please note we are unable to accept credit or debit card details by email due to Payment Card Industry (PCI) compliance regulations. For further details please visit the PCI website.

Once your application has been received and payment cleared, we will aim to make an assessment of your application within 30 days.

Methods of Payment FormPlease note that any payment received without an accompanying application form will be held for a maximum of 30 days before being returned to the sender.

Payment may be made using any of the following methods.

Payment by cheque

Please make your cheque payable to the Law Society and put your SRA number on the back of the cheque.

We do not accept cheques drawn on non sterling or non UK bank accounts.

Payments direct from your bank

You may pay direct to the Law Society’s bank account. All charges must be paid by the remitter and the remitter’s name and account number or SRA number must be quoted as a reference.

Please complete the confirmation form and return it with your completed application once you have instructed your bank to make payment direct. You must ensure you instruct your bank to make the payment, as our Finance Department is unable to request the payment for you.

Application Type      

Value £    

Date Transmitted      /     /     

SRA ID (if applicable)      

I have authorised payment to be made to:

Bank Barclays Bank Plc, 54 Lombard Street, London, EC3V 9EXAccount No. 80567493Sort Code 20-32-29Account Name The Law Society

If payment is made by International Bank transfer, please use the following:

IBAN GB90 BARC 2032 2980 5674 93 SWIFT BARCGB22

Please ensure your SRA number/account number is quoted by your bank with the bank transfer.

Credit/Debit card payments

Please note we are unable to accept credit or debit card details by email due to Payment Card Industry (PCI) compliance regulations. For further details please visit:

https://www.pcisecuritystandards.org/security_standards/pci_dss.shtml

All card transactions are subject to a 1.75% handling charge.

We do not accept American Express or Diners.

Value (1.75% will be added to this value) £     

1.75% Handling Charge £     

Total to be taken (inc. charge) £     

Card Type Visa

Mastercard

Maestro

Card number      

Expiry Date      /     /     

Issue No (if applicable)      

Name on Card      

Payment reference (invoice number/GL codes or form type and SRA ID)

Please complete the CV2 number at the bottom of this page. This number is found on the reverse of your card, it is the last 3 digits displayed on your signature strip.

CV2 Code