Thursday 09 August 2012 by Jonathan Rayner

Solicitors submitted a 'disappointingly low' one-eighth of the almost 1,000 completed Legal Education and Training Review (LETR) surveys so far received by the review's research team.

In contrast, barristers make up almost two-fifths of the responses.

The online survey, which closes on 16 August, asks what comprises the 'competence' to be a lawyer; and what is the impact of competition on quality. It asks whether education can be a 'regulatory tool', and if the qualifying law degree, legal practice course and training contract are still 'fit for purpose'. Questions also probe what knowledge and skill sets respondents believe are of prime importance to practitioners.

At 12.3% of the responses, head of the research team Professor Julian Webb noted, solicitor input was 'disappointingly low'. 'It fails to reflect the size or importance of the solicitors profession within the legal sector. By contrast, 18.6% of responses have come from chartered legal executives and a substantial 39.6% have come from barristers,' he said.

Related links

• Online survey