This computer-based assessment requires candidates to write a letter or an email as a solicitor handling a matter. The communication should accurately apply the law to the client's concerns and be suitable for the intended recipient. This task may involve a negotiation context, although this is not always the case. Candidates will receive an email from a partner detailing the requirements, which may or may not include additional documents. Possible recipients include clients, third parties, opposing parties in litigation or transactions, or partners within the organization.
Preparation Time
★ 30 minutes: Candidates have this time to complete the task.
Objective
Demonstrate the ability to produce a well-crafted letter or email as a solicitor acting in a matter, which includes:
★ Including relevant facts.
★ Using a logical structure.
★ Providing advice/content that is focused on the client and appropriate for the recipient.
★ Using clear, precise, concise, and professionally acceptable language suitable for the recipient.
★ Correctly applying the law to the client's situation.
★ Thoroughly applying the law to the client’s situation, identifying any ethical and professional conduct issues, and exercising sound judgment to resolve them with honesty and integrity.
Assessment Criteria
Ethics, professionalism and judgment
A1. Act honestly and with integrity
★ Recognising ethical issues and exercising effective judgment in addressing them.
★ Understanding and applying the ethical concepts which govern their role and behaviour as a lawyer.
★ Identifying the relevant SRA principles and rules of professional conduct and following them.
★ Resisting pressure to condone, ignore or commit unethical behaviour.
★ Respecting diversity and acting fairly and inclusively.
A2. Maintain the level of competence and legal knowledge
★ Taking responsibility for personal learning and development.
★ Reflecting on and learning from practice and learning from other people.
★ Accurately evaluating their strengths and limitations in relation to the demands of their work.
★ Maintaining an adequate and up-to-date understanding of relevant law, policy and practice.
★ Adapting practice to address developments in the delivery of legal services.
A3. Work within the limits of their competence
★ Disclosing when work is beyond their personal capability.
★ Recognising when they have made mistakes or are experiencing difficulties and taking appropriate action.
★ Seeking and making effective use of feedback, guidance and support where needed.
★ Knowing when to seek expert advice.
A4. Draw on a sufficient detailed knowledge and understanding
★ Identifying relevant legal principles.
★ 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.
★ 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.
A5. Apply understanding, critical thinking and analysis
★ Assessing information to identify key issues and risks.
★ Recognising inconsistencies and gaps in information.
★ Evaluating the quality and reliability of information.
★ Using multiple sources of information to make effective judgments.
★ Reaching reasoned decisions supported by relevant evidence.
Technical legal practice
B1. Obtain relevant facts
★ Obtaining relevant information through effective use of questioning and active listening.
★ Finding, analysing and assessing documents to extract relevant information.
★ Recognising when additional information is needed.
★ Interpreting and evaluating information obtained.
★ Recording and presenting information accurately and clearly.
B2. Undertake legal research
★ Recognising when legal research is required.
★ Using appropriate methods and resources to undertake the research.
★ Identifying, finding and assessing the relevance of sources of law.
★ Interpreting, evaluating and applying the results of the research.
★ Recording and presenting the findings accurately and clearly.
B3. Develop and advise on relevant options, strategies and solutions
★ Understanding and assessing a client's commercial and personal circumstances, their needs, objectives, priorities and constraints.
★ Ensuring that advice is informed by appropriate legal and factual analysis and identifies the consequences of different options.
B6. Negotiate solutions to clients' issues
★ Developing compromises between options or parties.
Working with other people
C1. Communicate clearly and effectively, orally and in writing
★ Ensuring that communication achieves its intended objective.
★ Responding to and addressing individual characteristics effectively and sensitively.
★ Using the most appropriate method and style of communication for the situation and the recipient(s).
★ Using clear, succinct and accurate language avoiding unnecessary technical terms.
★ Using formalities appropriate to the context and purpose of the communication.
★ Maintaining the confidentiality and security of communications.
★ Imparting any difficult or unwelcome news clearly and sensitively.
Managing themselves and their own work
D1. Initiate, plan, prioritise and manage work activities and projects
★ Clarifying instructions so as to agree the scope and objectives of the work.