SRA Handbook

Recognition of previous experience

Back to version 21

Version 4 of the Handbook was published on 21/06/2012. For more information, please click 'History' Above

Regulation 7: Recognition of previous experience

7.1

If you are a training establishment you may grant a reduction in the period of the training contract in recognition of previous experience only if you are satisfied that:

(a)

the trainee's experience on which you base the reduction:

(i)

was equivalent to that gained in a training contract;

(ii)

was in English law, and in one or more areas of law;

(iii)

was gained in the three years immediately preceding the commencement of the training contract;

(iv)

allowed the acquisition of one or more of the Practice Skills Standards; and

(b)

the trainee:

(i)

was adequately supervised;

(ii)

was appraised; and

(iii)

worked either full-time or not less than two and a half days per week (or the equivalent).

7.2

If you are a training establishment, you may grant a reduction in the period of the training contract in recognition of previous experience:

(a)

of not less than one month (30 days) and no more than six months (183 days); and

(b)

the reduction in the period of the training contract is to be calculated as half the period of the previous experience on which the reduction is based.

7.3

If you are a training establishment you must notify us of any reduction in the period of the training contract you have granted under regulation 7.2.

Guidance note:

(i)

You have no obligation to accept previous experience and any reduction in the period of the training contract is entirely at your discretion.

(ii)

In 7.2(b) this half-equivalence means that 12 months' experience can only result in a six month reduction.

(iii)

If you are calculating a reduction in the period of the training contract on the basis described in regulation 7.2(b) for part-time workers, experience should be calculated pro rata on a half-equivalence basis. For example, a trainee who had worked two and a half days per week for 12 months could be granted a maximum of three months' reduction in the period of the training contract.

(iv)

When complying with regulation 7(3), you may notify us either:

(a)

on the online form when you register the training contract or;

(b)

after registration via our website.