At Freedom Law Clinic, feedback is at the heart of what we do. Many students begin their Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) with us at an early stage in their practical skills development. To ensure they reach the level required to contribute meaningfully to casework, we provide continuous, structured feedback.

Our feedback framework is based on the Solicitor Competence Statement, published by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). This is the same framework that reviewing solicitors use when assessing and signing off QWE. By aligning our feedback with these key competencies, we help students develop the essential skills they need to qualify as solicitors.

Key Elements of Our Feedback

1. Clarity in Legal Writing

Writing clearly in legal work can be challenging. Many students initially use overly dramatic or inaccurate language, or introduce subjective opinions where objectivity is required.

Example of incorrect phrasing: “The case against X was completely unanswerable.”

This statement is overly subjective and exaggerates the strength of the case. A more appropriate way to phrase this would be:

Better alternatives:

• “The case against X was very strong.”
• “The case against X appeared overwhelming.”

Using precise language ensures that legal documents remain professional, objective, and useful for the case.

2. Importance of Referencing

One of the key tasks in early casework is demonstrating what you have read and summarizing it accurately. This helps your supervising solicitor by reducing their reading workload and providing clear insights into the material.

Why referencing matters:

• Shows the documents you have reviewed.
• Ensures your work is based on accurate sources.
• Helps your reviewing solicitor confirm that you have engaged with the correct legal materials.

Proper referencing makes your work more reliable and valuable within the case.

3. Accuracy and Attention to Detail

Legal work is fundamentally about precision. If you misstate facts, summarize evidence inaccurately, or provide only an outline of key details, your document may not be useful.

What accuracy involves:

• Verifying all facts before including them in documents.
• Ensuring correct citation of cases, statutes, and legal principles.
• Avoiding assumptions and sticking to the available evidence.

By focusing on clarity, referencing, and accuracy, we help students build the essential skills needed for a successful legal career.

Develop Your Legal Skills with Expert Feedback

At Freedom Law Clinic, our structured feedback ensures that students not only gain practical experience but also develop the competencies required to qualify as solicitors. By working within the framework of the SRA Solicitor Competence Statement, we ensure that our QWE program effectively prepares students for their future careers.

For more details on the Solicitor Competence Statement, visit the SRA website.

Are you ready to enhance your legal skills and gain valuable QWE? Why not get in touch.