Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates (Crime) Scheme Registration

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1 Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates (Crime) Scheme Registration 1 st October 2013 Richard Williams Senior Policy Executive Solicitors Regulation Authority

2 Webinar overview Scheme details Do I need to register with QASA? Registration process Registration Q&A s Your questions

3 Scheme Details Devised to respond to concerns about the standards of advocacy in criminal courts Will ensure that the performance of all advocates are measured against the same set of standards, regardless of the advocate's previous education and training It is in the public interest will ensure that all criminal advocates appearing in courts in England and Wales are competent and have met minimum standards

4 Scheme Details A single, common set of advocacy standards which apply to all advocates solicitors, chartered legal executives and barristers, employed, self-employed and CPS The standards apply across four levels of QASA Advocates will be accredited at one of four levels for example, a Level 1 advocate can undertake work in the Magistrates Court and a Level 4 advocate can undertake the most serious cases in the Crown Court.

5 Scheme Details Advocates may progress through the four levels (subject to rights of audience) by demonstrating through assessment that they meet the required standard for the next level 3 methods of assessment and accreditation: Assessed CPD Assessment Organisation Judicial Evaluation

6 Do I need to register with QASA? Yes, if you wish to undertake criminal advocacy The SRA Quality Assurance for Advocates (Crime) regulations (2013) state:

7 What is Criminal Advocacy? If the work that you undertake falls within the definition of criminal advocacy, you will need to register with QASA and seek accreditation

8 Registration is phased

9 Where do I go to begin registration? Please go to From here you will be directed to where you can register for QASA Please note you will need an active mysra account in order to register For guidance on how to activate your mysra account, go to

10 SRA Website

11 Registration Log in Use your mysra username and password If you have your forgotten details, call

12 Home page

13 Registration Page

14 Registration Page

15 Registration Page- Selecting a Level

16 What level should I register at? To choose your registration Level, consider the type of cases that you regularly deal with from the cases in the Levels table.

17 Levels table

18 Level 2 registration If you do not intend to undertake trials at Level 2, please register at Level 2a. You will be required to attend an approved assessment centre to be assessed against all of the standards in order to be fully accredited and reaccredited If you intend to undertake trials at Level 2, please register at Level 2b. Please note you must obtain a minimum of two and a maximum of three CAEFs in consecutive effective trials in order to be fully accredited and reaccredited

19 How do I register at Level 4QC? To register at Level 4QC, please select Level 4 and on completion of registration, submit verification of your QC status via to qasa@sra.org.uk When we receive your verification, we will register you at Level 4QC

20 Level 2a assessment centre costs Further details on the cost of attending and assessment centre will be available shortly. We aim to ensure that the cost of assessment by this route does not disproportionately impact on individual or groups of solicitors. The registration window for Phase 1 advocates is open until the 7 March You may wish to wait until further details are available before registering.

21 Reasoned decision Advocates must reach a reasoned decision as to the level at which they register and be able to justify their decision if asked to do so by their regulator.

22 Registration Page- Selecting your Circuit

23 Which circuit should I choose? To choose your circuit, please look at the map below and select the circuit where you currently undertake the majority of your criminal advocacy work

24 Registration Map

25 What happens if I practice in more than one circuit? If you practice across a number of circuits, you should register with the circuit that provides you with the best chance of obtaining the required number of assessments within the registration period.

26 Declaration

27 Payment

28 Your Home Page

29 What happens after I register?

30 What happens after I register?

31 Help Scheme Handbook and Q&A s qasa@sra.org.uk Call: