Being Professional and Exercising Judgment

(SQE Advocacy Assessed skill - see www.sra.org.uk)

A competent advocate should be able to:

• Treat clients and others with courtesy and respect including observing equality, diversity and inclusivity.

• Act in the client's best interests and act to achieve the client's intended objec­tives by assessing, analysing, evaluating evidence and information and making effective judgments.

• Reflect on where and how improvements can be made and recognise when mis­takes occur and take appropriate action.

• Recognise when to seek help from others including delegating matters beyond their expertise or seek guidance on ethical behaviours or ask for support to solve ethical dilemmas.

• Be sensitive to the individual characteristics of others and use communication that is appropriate to the situation and takes account of the recipient.

• Use appropriate language that is not offensive and also language that is clear and succinct and easy for the client or others to understand.

• Keep skills and knowledge up to date and take responsibility for professional learning and development.

• Supervise the work of others to ensure shared values about correct behaviours and to eliminate the risks of unethical behaviour by employees or those con­nected to the firm.

• Manage available resources efficiently and in a way that ensures the high stand­ards in practice that society expects of the profession and be prepared to adapt to new ways of working and new technology and developments in the delivery of legal services.

• Respond promptly and appropriately to client concerns and complaints and fol­low internal complaints procedures.