Practice note

Supervision

The proper supervision of work is a legal and professional requirement. This practice note provides advice on how to ensure that you can be both a good solicitor and a good supervisor. It also gives those being supervised guidance on how to make sure they receive effective supervision.

23 Jun 2026

14 minutes read

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) regulates solicitors in England and Wales. It sets the principles and codes of conduct that those regulated by them have to abide by to provide legal services.

The SRA has asked practices to satisfy themselves that they have appropriate and adequate measures in place to ensure they can effectively supervise their trainees and junior staff.

How this looks will depend on the practice itself.

Everyone has a role to play in the proper management of your practice and must make sure the SRA’s requirements are met.

This practice note is aimed primarily at private practice, although some of the information will also be relevant in the context of in-house practice.

This practice note is the Law Society’s view of good practice in this area and is not legal advice. For more information, see the legal status.

Introduction

Solicitors Regulation Authority

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Practice notes represent the Law Society’s view of good practice in a particular area. They are not intended to be the only standard of good practice that solicitors can follow. You are not required to follow them but doing so will make it easier to account to oversight bodies for your actions.

Practice notes are not legal advice, and do not necessarily provide a defence to complaints of misconduct or poor service. While we have taken care to ensure that they are accurate, up to date and useful, we will not accept any legal liability in relation to them.

For queries or comments on this practice note, contact our Practice Advice Service.

SRA Principles

There are seven mandatory principles in the SRA Standards and Regulations which apply to all aspects of practice.

The principles apply to all authorised individuals (solicitors, registered European lawyers, registered foreign lawyers and registered Swiss lawyers), authorised firms and their managers and employees, and to the delivery of regulated services within licensed bodies.

Must – a requirement in legislation or a requirement of a principle, rule, regulation or other mandatory provision in the SRA Standards and Regulations. You must comply, unless there are specific exemptions or defences provided for in relevant legislation or regulations.

Should – outside of a regulatory context, good practice, in our view, for most situations. In the case of the SRA Standards and Regulations, a non-mandatory provision, such as may be set out in notes or guidance.

These may not be the only means of complying with legislative or regulatory requirements and there may be situations where the suggested route is not the best route to meet the needs of a particular client. However, if you do not follow the suggested route, you should be able to justify to oversight bodies why your alternative approach is appropriate, either for your practice, or in the particular retainer.

May – an option for meeting your obligations or running your practice. Other options may be available and which option you choose is determined by the nature of the individual practice, client or retainer. You may be required to justify why this was an appropriate option to oversight bodies.