How do law firms and legal recruiters check references?
A register check shows regulatory status. A reference shows how someone actually practised. Legal hiring needs both.
How do legal sector references work?
Legal sector references usually come in two parts. First, check the regulator's public record: the SRA's Solicitors Register for solicitors, the Bar Standards Board's Barristers' Register for barristers, and CILEx Regulation for chartered legal executives. Then collect written references from recent supervising partners or managers. RefAssure handles the references: consent, chasing and a signed PDF.
Step one: check the regulator's record
Each branch of the profession in England and Wales has its own regulator and public record. They are free to search and should come before references.
- Solicitors. The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) lets you check a solicitor's record and search published regulatory outcomes, such as suspensions or conditions. The SRA notes that not every decision is published, so contact it if you need the latest position.
- Barristers. The Bar Standards Board's Barristers' Register shows practising status, the reserved legal activities a barrister is authorised for and any disciplinary findings.
- Chartered legal executives. CILEx Regulation keeps records of its authorised members and disciplinary outcomes.
Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own regulators, so check the right body for where the person practises.
Step two: references from people who supervised the work
A register entry tells you someone is authorised. It does not tell you how they handled files, clients or deadlines. For lateral hires, ask the supervising partner, head of department or practice manager they worked under most recently. For support roles such as paralegals and legal secretaries, the line manager is the right referee.
RefAssure does not search regulator registers. It collects and chases the references, and records each step.
What legal references should ask.
Questions that tell you more than dates and job title.
Practice area and caseload
What kind of work did they handle, and at what level of responsibility?
Client care
How did they manage clients, communication and complaints?
Conduct and integrity
Are you aware of any conduct concerns or regulatory matters you are able to share?
Organisation
Rate their file management and ability to meet deadlines on a 1 to 10 scale.
Supervision
If relevant, how did they supervise and develop junior staff?
Re-employment
Would you employ them again, yes or no?
Busy partners, answered on a phone.
Referees get a unique secure link with no login. RefAssure reminds them until they reply.
- 5 emails and up to 2 texts over 12 days, stopping when they reply
- Candidate consent signed online before any referee is contacted
- Replies sent by email instead of the form are captured and forwarded
- A signed, timestamped PDF to share with the hiring firm
Legal sector reference questions
More in the full FAQs.
How do I check if someone is a practising solicitor?
Use the SRA's check a solicitor's record service on its website. It covers SRA-regulated individuals and firms in England and Wales and shows published regulatory outcomes.
Can a law firm employ someone who has been struck off?
Restrictions apply. An SRA-regulated firm generally needs the SRA's permission to employ a solicitor who has been struck off or suspended. Check the SRA's guidance before making any offer.
Who should give a reference for a solicitor?
Usually the supervising partner or head of department from their most recent firm. For a candidate's current firm, agree timing with the candidate first, as many prefer contact to wait until after an offer.
Does RefAssure check SRA or BSB registers?
No. Search the regulator yourself. RefAssure collects the references, with consent, automatic chasing and a signed PDF.
Do paralegals need references?
Yes, as for any hire. Their line manager or supervising lawyer is the right referee. See reference check questions for what to ask.
How far back should legal references go?
There is no single legal-sector rule. Many firms ask for references covering the last two or three roles or a set number of years, and in-house legal roles at FCA-regulated firms can bring extra rules. See FCA regulatory references.
What does it cost?
Your first reference is free, then credits cost from 99p down to 80p with no monthly fee and no VAT added. See pricing.
Related guides
References for every legal placement.
Your first reference is free. Two minutes to send, and RefAssure does the rest.