Post by Khoo Boon Han

There is a growing push to impose a minimum PQE requirement before a lawyer can open a law firm. A solution that seems like solving everything…. by doing absolutely nothing. Let’s break it down. Yes, we have a real issue: - young lawyers opening firms too early - undercutting fees - making rookie mistakes - treating clients like practice files Fair. But instead of fixing the actual problem: i.e competence, supervision, accountability, we come up with this genius idea: “Just wait a few years.” Because apparently… On Day 1: you are dangerous to the public. On Day 1,095: Congratulations. You are now competent. No questions asked. No test. No audit. No supervision. Let’s be honest. A 3-year lawyer can still be badly trained, poorly supervised, and completely clueless about running a firm. But hey… tick the “3 years” box and suddenly you are fit to manage clients, money, staff, risk, compliance, everything. What this rule REALLY does: - Keeps juniors stuck longer - Protects established firms from competition - Slows down hungry lawyers who actually want to build something Let’s not dress it up. This is not about “protecting the public.” Is mor of protecting the system from disruption. And here’s the part nobody wants to say out loud. Some of the worst law firms are not run by juniors. They are run by: - comfortable lawyers - outdatd practices - people who stopped learning years ago But sure… the problem is the 1-year PQE kid trying to hustle. If we actually care about quality, do it properly: - Mandatory supervision for new firm owners - Real audits on client accounts instead of the current superficial practice - Compulsory practice management training These will protect the public. Not thee “Come back in a few years' time and magically become competent.” Final truth. If you want better lawyers, build better systems. If you want less competition, then yes, restrict them. Don’t confuse regulation with progress. Sometimes, it’s just fear in a suit. P.S: Photos have nothing to do with the above. Just some young ones eager to open their firm to compete with me. #kbhsays