Lawyers should train for life, says advisory team

ALL LAWYERS should be forced to have formal training throughout their careers, according to the Lord Chancellor's Advisory Committee on Legal Education and Conduct. It wants the Law Society and the Bar Council to run compulsory schemes, in which lawyers assess their own needs and plan training. At present, the Law Society has a compulsory scheme which will cover all solicitors by November next year. The General Council of the Bar has no scheme for established barristers but intends to introduce one this autumn for those in their first three years of fully qualified independent practice.