The structure of solicitors' professional training in Scotland begins with the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice and continues with a traineeship which lasts two years. During this time the trainees record their progress in log books and have quarterly reviews, which are monitored by the Law Society. In addition, trainees must attend a Professional Competence Course (normally between 6 and 18 months into the traineeship). This will focus on skills and knowledge essential to the competent performance of trainees.

Specifically, the aims of the Professional Competence Course (PCC) are to:

• Develop the knowledge and skills learned on the Diploma and in the first stages of traineeship.
• Enhance trainees' knowledge of key areas of current legal practice.
• Enable a deeper understanding of the ethics, values and attitudes of the Scottish legal profession.
• Facilitate the development of legal skills and the integration of these with legal knowledge and ethical behaviour.

The PCC consists of a Core Course and Electives. At Edinburgh School of Law, the Core Course is run three times a year in March, May and September, with Electives between April and June. The course is largely taught by solicitors, so the trainees have ample opportunity to gain from their knowledge and experience. There are Expert Panel Sessions running through the course. There is a ratio of one tutor to four trainees.

Full details of the course including fees, dates and enrolment forms can be found at the PCC website.