As we have reported previously, our poll found that over 50% of solicitors plan to transition to the new approach to continuing competence before it becomes mandatory on 1 November 2016.

The SRA has published a toolkit with detailed guidance on how to comply with the new approach. However, some of the information is confusing. We have chosen to highlight two short documents that explain most of the requirements at a glance.

Under the new approach, you must:

• Reflect on the quality of your practice by reference to the Competence Statement
• Plan and address learning and development needs based on the reflection
• Record and evaluate the learning activity
• Make an annual declaration to confirm you have completed the above

The following two templates from the SRA clarify what is required in this process and explains the optimal way to plan and record your learning activities.

1. Development plan

Download development plan template

2. Learning record

Download learning record template

These templates will be built into the Enterprise version of the VinciWorks Learning Management System. The system will enable solicitors to produce these reports on demand, based on their learning records.