The Professional Skills Course (PSC) is the final, compulsory part of training for trainee solicitors before qualifying as a solicitor. The PSC should normally take place during a period of recognised training. You can either conduct it in person or online, of course I chose the latter simply because I could be in my comfy wear on my bed with a hot water bottle. What they don’t tell you is that you have to keep the camera on! There are core modules and elective modules, the core modules are Advocacy and Communication Skills ,Client Care, Professional Standards and Financial and Business Skills. The elective module comprises six hours of training and is run over one full day.  You can select any four elective modules. I am half way through week three which was allocated just after my holiday and I have to say I have not been overly impressed.

I completed Advocacy first which was for three days. First day, Examination in chief, second day, Cross Examination, third day, preparation for and running through a fake trial. However the relevance to trainee solicitors and NQs of this experience is limited. As only really in family, criminal or tribunals is a solicitor likely to examine witnesses I thoroughly enjoyed it was like going to work. So we spent 3 days practically being at “court”.

My electives are in relation to Children Act Proceedings and Domestic Abuse which are like listening to a YouTube video. The lecturers are fine, professional and understanding after all they are there to get paid only.

Last of all is FSMA. arguably the most useful (it covers the dreaded Financial Services and Markets Act, and Money Laundering, Proceeds of Crime Act), I can only comment on the first day of 3. Having covered FSMA regulation on the LPC I know the basis. Most solicitors struggle with this distinction, so I am happy to be getting another chance to learnt it. I am a little concerned about the delivery of this module. Our first day involved spending 7 hours learning about different kinds of investments. You know, the ones we cannot give advice about? I’m talking about Single Premium Bonds, Unit Trusts, Open End Investment, Exchange Trade Funds….  Apparently if we know more about what it is we are not supposed to say, we won't do it. I can't see that logic. I now know and understand far more about investments than I ever have done making it much easier for me to slip across the line into regulated territory. At least before I could claim ignorance and avoid the situation all together. Worst of all, these 7 hours were delivered a full week before our FSMA session. So I have been a week in the world with the practical knowledge of what I am not allowed to say without actually knowing where the line is. Genius! It is interested but also irrelevant in family law I must say and should be scrapped.

Is it worth it?

It’s compulsory so there is no choice. The PSC simply hasn't kept up with the reality of life for solicitors. I'd spend the whole thing on Finance. And not "types of investment", unless you do Corporate. Or things like how to read a balance sheet and a business plan would be useful. My firm is paying me and the PSC provider to waste time learning stuff I either already know, will never use or make me more likely to break the law! I think the SRA needs to rethink what it is teaching trainees and use this time to bring up lawyering standards instead of wasting resources. I have heard from others that the quality of the electives is much higher, I do hope so.