Responsibility and Accountability as a Trainee Solicitor – Trainee Blog

From starting as a trainee solicitor, I have been surprised by the level of responsibility and accountability which comes with the role, even as early as my first seat.

Unsurprisingly, as a trainee it is unlikely that you will walk straight into a firm and be ready to run a case or make strategic decisions about how to proceed. However, even as an assistant to a solicitor on a case, your input is invaluable and sometimes can make or break a case.

I have found that even though I am still learning on the job under the supervision of a qualified solicitor, I am still given a good level of responsibility as I work my way towards qualification. In any role, even a simple mistake like missing a deadline, not sending an email to court or forgetting to include a document in a bundle could have big consequences. It is therefore important that every person working in the firm takes their job seriously and this early responsibility assists in allowing a smooth transition from trainee to solicitor. It is also encouraging to know that every job I do, whether large or small, will play a significant role in a case and that I have made an important contribution to the firm’s work.

Trainee solicitors also need to bear in mind that there is still a high level of accountability even at this early stage of entry into the profession. The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), which is the body that regulates solicitors and law firms, makes very clear that you are accountable for your conduct, and that doesn’t start from when you qualify, it starts long before that when you start at a firm. In some unfortunate circumstances, some trainees have found themselves being struck off and banned from practising law before they have even qualified where there have been serious instances of dishonesty. It is important to attend firm compulsory training sessions about professional conduct and duties so that you are aware of the standards that you will be held against.

Whilst responsibility and accountability can be a little scary when you are first starting out, your firm should have lots of processes and measures in place that give you support and guidance where needed. This means that you should never feel out of your depth, although that’s not to say you will not feel challenged by a task, and when these challenges are overcome there is a great feeling of personal reward.

My advice is that if you are ever in doubt about your workload, how to do a task or how to approach a difficult situation, ask your supervisor or an experienced colleague for support. You are a trainee after all… for now!