How does the law society monitor the competence of lawyers and paralegals?

The law society closely monitors the competence of lawyers and paralegals primarily through administering spot audits and practice management reviews. This approach allows for a systematic evaluation of a legal professional's practice to ensure compliance with professional standards and regulations.

Spot audits involve on-site assessments where the law society examines various aspects of a lawyer's or paralegal's practice, such as client files, trust account management, and adherence to ethical obligations. Practice management reviews focus on the operational and managerial aspects of legal practices, assessing how effectively a professional manages their workload, client relations, and case management systems.

This method is proactive, aiming to identify potential issues and provide guidance or corrective measures before problems escalate, thereby fostering a culture of continuous improvement and accountability within the legal profession. By using direct evaluations rather than relying solely on self-reported measures or third-party feedback, the law society ensures a more objective assessment of competence levels among legal professionals.