Introduction
This chapter will focus on the preliminary stages of (1) fact finding, (2) legal research and (3) case planning. These align with the technical legal practice aspects of the SRA Statement of Solicitor Competence (‘SoSC, Figure 2.1) included under B1 (obtaining relevant facts), B2 (undertaking legal research), B3 (developing and advising on relevant options and strategies), B6 (negotiating solutions) and B7 (planning, managing and progressing cases).
We will also continue to develop these technical practice skills in Part B (criminal and civil litigation).Case preparation is an important first step for an advocate. Even before a case reaches trial, competency is called for at the early stage of pre-trial case preparation. In this chapter we will also focus on the skills shown in Figure 2.2.
Figure 2.1 Statement of Solicitor Competence.
Figure 2.2 Chapter Content.
2.2