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In September 2025 the Law Society of NSW launched the Solicitor Capability Framework (the Framework) which defines the enduring, non-technical skills and behaviours that reflect best legal practice. It is the first of its kind in the Australian legal profession, designed to equip solicitors with the capabilities needed to thrive in practice and to support their ongoing professional development, both today and into the future.

The development of the Framework took almost two years, from first discussions to the final version.  The Framework was developed with the support of the Institute for Working Futures as project lead consultants and Dr Pamela Hanrahan as a legal consultant with specific NSW expertise. The Framework also involved significant input and validation from the NSW legal profession. The intention was to ensure the Framework would accurately reflect the current and prospective landscape of legal practice in NSW.

Scope of the Framework

The Framework is intended to apply to all solicitors, regardless of practice area, sector or level of experience. It complements technical skills, knowledge and competencies that are relevant to specific roles or areas of practice. It is not mandatory and does not replace regulatory CPD requirements. Rather, it is a professional development tool that is intended to support the profession.

The Framework in a nutshell

The Framework sets out seven Primary Priority Capabilities which the Law Society, informed by the profession, has identified as being of highest relevance for solicitors’ professional growth and development. It includes a high-level description of each of these capabilities, as well as a non-exhaustive list of associated behaviours and a table of relevant skills that sets out how each capability can be performed.

The Framework also identifies a further seven Secondary Priority Capabilities, which were identified as important to legal practice but do not form the focus of the Framework in its current form.

Integrity and Ethics

One of the primary capabilities set out in the Framework is called ‘Integrity and Ethics’. This capability is not intended to countermand or comment upon the Legal Profession Uniform Law Australian Solicitors’ Conduct Rules 2015 (NSW). Rather, it demonstrates how a solicitor may develop and apply their personal and professional ethical integrity in daily legal practice, and conform with social, regulatory and professional standards of conduct.

This capability supports the understanding that acting ethically and with integrity is a core aspect of best legal practice. It identifies some key associated behaviours:

  • Being accountable, by acting in good conscience, demonstrating integrity and independence and keeping commitments
  • Acting responsibly and respecting social expectations
  • Demonstrating commitment, reliability and trustworthiness, and learning from mistakes and experience

The skills table provides practical examples of how this might manifest in legal practice at various proficiency levels. The Framework establishes three proficiency levels: Developing; Proficient; and Expert.

How can you use the Framework to improve your legal practice?

Solicitors are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the Framework. They can then use the Solicitor Capability Framework self-reflection template to identify and target capabilities for professional development and set relevant goals.

The Solicitor Capability Framework has been integrated into the Law Society’s CPD program.  Solicitors can search the LawInform catalogue for education related to specific capabilities, and all course descriptions now list any relevant capabilities. The Law Society has also recently launched a series of Capability Booster workshops that focus on specific capabilities in legal practice.

By focusing on strengthening the human attributes and skills underpinning the work of all solicitors, the Framework will assist solicitors to navigate a changing legal landscape in the face of advancing technology and other broader forces of change.