An example of a good learning objective from the BSB Guidance
To become qualified to provide direct access advice to the public to improve my ability to provide advice to a wide range of clients and deliver a cost-effective service to lay
clients.
Examples of compliant learning objectives from the BSB Guidance
Legal Knowledge and Skills
To improve my knowledge of non-contentious employment matters so that I can deliver more effective advice to clients about risk management.
To undertake mediation training so that I can provide a wider range of services.
To deepen my understanding of the international law elements of my practice so that:
- I know the rules by which evidence can be obtained and used in court proceedings from other countries.
- I know the practice procedures and legal principles in the international courts in which I intend to develop my practice.
- To update my knowledge of recent judgments in the field of professional discipline in order to better comply with regulatory requirements.
To maintain knowledge and understanding of my main practice areas. This is to ensure that upon returning to work from maternity leave I am not behind with any new authorities.
To continue to develop knowledge, awareness and experience in the cross over between criminal prosecution and the regulation of care homes under the Care Quality Commission, so that I can undertake general instructions in this area to which I am new.
To enhance existing qualifications/ maintain accreditations as mediator/mediation advocate /continuing direct access authorisation
To further develop knowledge of core subject areas of practice, focusing this year specifically on trusts and trustees and obligations of attorneys acting under an LPA
Advocacy: Oral and Written
Refresh my advocacy skills in order to ensure I am up to date with current advocacy techniques.
Practice Management
To increase my knowledge and awareness of different funding products and fee structures for clients. This will allow me to provide better access to justice through a fairer and more cost effective fee structure
To understand the changes in regulation being undertaken by the BSB in relation to practising in Chambers within a limited company, in order to deliver a cost effective service to clients.
As a member of the employed Bar I wish to focus my Practice Management training on the skills and knowledge needed to manage a team of legal service providers including other qualified persons and paralegals.
I hope the outcome of this training is that I can help my team to provide a better standard of service to clients and also that I am more aware of the responsibilities I have in the context of my role in practice as a manager in ensuring that my practice is managed in an effective manner.
To improve my IT skills in order to ensure I am complying with information security best practice.
To ensure that my knowledge of the rules which are ancillary to my main areas of practice are fully up to date, specifically continuing changes to Civil Procedure Rules and Costs rules
To improve client care by enhancing in-Chambers record keeping and communication of advice with Direct Access clients.
- This will ensure that:
- Advice has been understood by clients.
- Client questions/issues have been addressed and/or resolved.
Ethics and professionalism
To deepen my knowledge and understanding of the BSB Handbook as it applies to self-employed barristers so that I am complying with the regulatory requirements and particularly that I am administering my practice effectively.
Examples from the compliant record example in the BSB Guidance
1 Legal Knowledge and Skills
To deepen my understanding of the international law aspect of my practice. In particular, the rules of evidence in the International Criminal Court. I will understand the principles relating to the use of evidence in the International Criminal Court in which I intend to develop my practice.
2 Advocacy
Refresh my advocacy skills with current best practice advocacy techniques. So that I am confident in representing clients in particularly complex cases in the highest courts.
3 Practice Management
To gain a greater level of knowledge of the practical application of the regulations in relation to practising in chambers within a limited company. I want to be able to provide a cost effective service to clients and if possible, reduce costs to become more competitive and provide better access to justice.
4 Working with clients and others
Complete approved public access training. I will be able to provide a greater scope of practice and access to justice, particularly through my entity.
5 Ethics, Professionalism and Judgement
Deepen my knowledge and understanding of the BSB Handbook regulations as they apply to owners of entities. In particular, as I am now conducting more civil litigation through my entity, I want to gain a better understanding of how to identify risk indicators with regard to Money Laundering.