Registrations for the Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates (QASA) have begun.

Solicitors in the Midlands and Western circuits wishing to perform advocacy in the criminal courts are now able to register for the QASA scheme.

This marks the first area for the scheme which is being rolled out in three phases stretching through to next October and potentially seeing 10,000 registrations across the country. Registration for the first phase will end on 9 March 2014, with the other two areas, the South Eastern and North East, Northern, Wales and Chester Circuits following on with a final deadline of 3 October 2014.

The Bar Standards Board and ILEX Professional Standards (IPS), who co-developed QASA, will also be starting their own individual registration schemes today.

Further details for solicitors can be found at www.sra.org.uk/solicitors/accreditation/quality-assurance-scheme-advocates.page