Lawyer supervision check checklist
Principals have a statutory duty to supervise junior lawyers under the Legal Profession Uniform Law. This checklist is for supervising principals and partners documenting supervision.
This is a 12-step lawyer supervision check. It covers supervision plan, file reviews, advice sign-off, and supervision records.
The checklist
Document supervision plan
Document a written supervision plan for each supervised lawyer.
Confirm practising certificate conditions
Confirm any supervised practice conditions on the lawyer's PC.
Schedule file reviews
Schedule periodic file reviews with the supervised lawyer.
Review advice before sending
Review advice letters and opinions before they are sent to client.
Review court documents
Review pleadings, affidavits, and court submissions before filing.
Review costs correspondence
Review costs disclosures and invoices.
Review trust instructions
Review any trust receipt or disbursement instructions.
Record supervision activities
Record each supervision activity in the supervision log.
Hold monthly review meeting
Hold a monthly review meeting with the supervised lawyer.
Address skills gaps
Address identified skills gaps through training or mentoring.
Check CPD coverage
Check supervised lawyer's CPD plan covers identified gaps.
Report to principal
Report supervision outcomes periodically to firm principal or partnership.
When this checklist applies
Use continuously for any lawyer under supervised practice conditions or within the first 2 years of admission.
Common pitfalls
- Written supervision plan absent
- Advice sent without review
- Supervision log not maintained
- Monthly review not held
- Skills gaps not addressed
Run this checklist on a real matter
Quillio can maintain supervision logs and track review activities. See /practice-areas/firm-management or start a free trial.
General guidance for supervision duties. Apply specific jurisdictional legal profession rules.
Use this checklist on your matter.
Quillio can run this checklist on a specific NSW conveyancing matter — confirm each item, calculate adjustments, and generate the supporting documents. The free trial requires no credit card.
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