Supervision guidance and resources

Published on 24 July 2018 Supervision of work is a legal and professional requirement. All solicitors and managers should have a system for supervising clients' matters. Clinics must also comply with the statutory requirements for the direction and supervision of reserved legal activities. This guidance provides information and tips, as well as collecting a number of supervisory related resources in one place.

Supervision is the action or process of watching and directing what someone does or how something is done. It can be helpful to think about supervision both in terms of development (which is related to ongoing professional learning) and performance (which is related to standards of legal practice and expectations).

It includes day to day support, guidance and advice, and supervisory file review of the technical quality of legal work and case management.

Supervision should involve people in shaping their work environment and provide support in personal growth. Effective supervision requires technical and interpersonal skills of listening and communication.  The benefits of effective supervision are:

• An organisation can be confident in the consistent quality of legal advice and service provided
• Development of individuals and team building
• Minimising the risk of bad advice on clients’ lives and insurance claims for negligent advice
• To meet regulatory requirements