In 2024, the Victorian Legal Services Board + Commissioner (VLSB+C) surveyed 409 lawyers who had supervised early career lawyers within the last five years to understand their experiences of supervised legal practice (SLP). Most respondents were experienced practitioners — 73% had over 10 years’ post-admission experience — and had, on average, supervised six lawyers over 14 months each.
Findings were largely positive: the vast majority agreed their supervisees improved legal skills (97%), confidence (96%), competence to practise independently (95%), understanding of legal/ethical duties (94%), and wellbeing management (84%). Most met frequently, with 73% meeting daily or weekly, and 78% believing the time spent was sufficient. Supervisors often reviewed work, gave feedback, and addressed wellbeing.
However, 75% experienced negative impacts, including longer hours (60%), increased workload (49%), and higher stress (31%). While 98% identified positives — such as developing supervisees’ talent (86%), workforce development (64%), and improved managerial skills (64%) — workload pressures and lack of training were common barriers. Personal workload (74%) was the most cited obstacle, followed by supervisee skill gaps and simultaneous supervision of multiple lawyers.
Training access varied: 41% had external supervision training, 49% workplace training, and 70% mentoring from other lawyers, with most finding these useful. Yet, 47% lacked workplace-provided training and one-third lacked adequate time for supervision.
Supervisors identified key improvements: more supervision resources (60%), dedicated time allocation (54%), and formal training (53%). The VLSB+C will use these insights, along with 2023 supervisee survey data, to develop tools and resources in 2025 to strengthen support for both supervisors and early career lawyers during the SLP period.