To be called to the Bar, students require more than knowledge of the law; candidates must display multiple competencies and qualities that take a holistic look at the key elements needed to successfully practice law in Canada.
New lawyers need to have the communication skills and understanding of how to practice law, and the empathy, compassion, integrity, respect, ethical practice and commitment to diversity to serve the public and their clients effectively.
CPLED has developed a Competency Framework to help guide students, facilitators, assessors and communicate to other stakeholders what specific skills and abilities the Practice Readiness Education Program (PREP) will help recent law school graduates develop over their articling period.
With the latest teaching and assessment tools, the PREP uses a combination of in-person and online learning. CPLED’s competency framework is consists of three key categories:
Lawyer Skills: What a Lawyer Does
- Communication – Language, cross-cultural communication, oral and written communication and drafting/legal writing skills
- Legal matter management – taking a legal matter from initiation, planning, research, analysis and resolution.
Practice and Self-Management: How a Lawyer Practises
- Risk management
- Trust accounting
- Technology skills
- Time/project management
- Conflict management
- Relationship management
- Self-management
Professional Ethics and Character: Who a Lawyer is and How they Behave
- Knowledge of the Code of Conduct
- Decision-making regarding ethical issues
- Complying with fiduciary duties and professional conduct
- Protecting confidences
- Avoiding conflicts of interest
- Professional development
- Ethical, courteous and honest
- Non-discriminatory, principled and respectable
- Honest, trustworthy and honourable
For more information on CPLED, PREP and how to register.
