Soft skills
SRA core competencies
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) uses continuing competence to make sure solicitors can do their jobs to the standard expected of them.
The SRA lists four core competencies for you to focus on:
- ethics, professionalism and judgement
- technical legal practice
- working with other people
- managing yourself and your own work
The SRA’s competence statement helps you meet the continuing competence requirement.
It recognises the importance of soft skills, such as how to:
- interact with colleagues
- build and maintain strong relationships with clients
- work effectively as part of a team
You’ll find resources below to help you learn, develop and improve skills like these.
The threshold standard sets the minimum level of competence needed for solicitors to continue to practise.
This is set at level three, which is also the standard at which someone qualifying as a solicitor would be expected to perform.
Networking
Networking helps you build connections and develop relationships. It’s important for a career in law, where it can lead to new business for your firm or give you new opportunities.
Why you should network
There are many benefits of networking, including:
- increasing your confidence
- making you a better communicator
- inspiring you with new ideas for ways of working
- keeping you in touch with what’s happening in other firms and in different legal sectors
Where to network
You can network anywhere you meet lawyers, clients or other professionals. If you work for a large firm, there’ll be internal social events to help colleagues get to know each other.
Professional networking events often have sector- or industry-specific speakers, so you’re more likely to meet legal professionals in that field.
You should also look for opportunities outside the legal field. Look for groups that share your interests or hobbies.
It’s often easier to start a conversation with someone if you know you have something in common with them.
Social media can help you get more contacts. Make use of the regular discussion groups on X (formerly Twitter), and LinkedIn’s 900 million active users.
Read our practice note on using social media
How to network
Set some goals
Write down some achievable and measurable goals you want from networking, such as:
- taking on new clients
- working in a different sector
- getting a new job
- finding a mentor
But do not let this be the sole focus of your networking. Concentrate on building new relationships.
At your next networking event, plan to speak to a specific number of new people or make a certain number of contacts.
Arrive at events early
Get there early and you'll find plenty of people who’ve yet to partner up, so speak to them first.
Then try to join 'open' twos and threes – groups of two or three people who stand facing outward, not in a circle or opposite each other. This body language shows they’re open to people joining their group.
What to say
Networking is not just about talking – it’s about listening, too. Ask people about themselves. If you know who you’re meeting, you can prepare some questions in advance.
Do not just ask questions about law – for example, find out what they enjoy doing outside work. Get to know the person, not the lawyer.
Avoid using legal jargon. Simple terms and plain language make a better impression.
To introduce yourself, you can prepare an elevator ‘speech’. This is a clear 60-second explanation of who you are.
To be effective, it needs to be tailored to the person you’re talking to and should:
- explain how your skills or specialist knowledge might be useful to them
- focus on the clients you work with and how you provide what they need
When you talk about your work, do not just tell people what you do, tell them why you do it. It’ll make a deeper connection.
Give out your contact details
Have your contact details ready to hand out to people you’d like to talk to further. Business cards are the norm, even if you're not employed at the moment.
After the event
You’ll need to build trust with people before they feel confident to instruct you or refer you to someone else.
To build trust and deepen relationships, you need to:
- follow up on any commitments you made to stay in touch
- spend time with people individually if you met them in a group
- stay in regular contact
- reciprocate, help others when you can
Time management
A career in law can be fast-paced and demanding, so it’s important to manage your time well.
Good time management makes you more productive and stops you feeling stressed. According to a LinkedIn study, it’s also one of the top soft skills employers look for.
Set your goals
Set clear, achievable goals with reasonable deadlines, and try to make them SMART:
- specific
- measurable
- attainable
- realistic
- timely
Make a list of everything you need to do to achieve them and transfer them to a ‘done’ list as you complete them.
At the end of each week, write a list of what you plan to do the following week. Check your list at the end of each day to check you’re on track.
Use planning tools
Keep track of your work and your deadlines with a spreadsheet or a desk diary. An online time management app such as the Pomodoro technique will help you plan your activities.
Put routine and recurring activities in your diary so you can fit other tasks around them.
You can use an online tool such as the Eisenhower Matrix to help prioritise your tasks.
Make the most of your time
To work more efficiently, think about:
- what times of day you’re most productive
- where you work best (open-plan offices or quiet break-out rooms)
If you do not have a quiet space, you can reduce distractions by turning off your phone or email notifications until you’ve completed a task.
Taking frequent short breaks increases your productivity.
Manage your workload
You do not have to say yes to every request. Saying no sometimes will give you more time to concentrate on your goals, and you’ll feel more in control of your workload.
Read our blog: stop saying yes, start saying no.
Make time for a good work/life balance. Schedule regular activities to relax and increase your energy levels.
You’ll find tips for managing stress on our stress and mental health page.
Resources
Continuing competence guidance – our guidance on complying with the SRA’s requirements
Smarter Legal Marketing – how to market yourself for work and career development