Defending Solicitors' Rights To Practise
Jon Goodwin The SRA has made it abundantly clear that it will take action against any law firm not complying with its AML requirements. Recent regulatory action highlights that even if firms are carrying out the necessary … Read More
The recent High Court case of Olsen & Anor v Finansiel Stabilitet [2025] EWHC 42 has highlighted the potential risk of legal professionals using AI to prepare cases. Contrastingly, in February 2025, in a speech … Read More
In mid-December, the SRA published two thematic reviews: one into professional obligations and the other into probate and estate administration. Both reviews followed the release of the SRA’s 2023 Annual Assessment of Continuing Competence. The … Read More
On 19th December 2024, the SRA published a warning notice to regulated law firms and professionals entitled, “Marketing your services to members of the public”. It concerns prohibited marketing practices, including cold calling, door knocking, … Read More
In November 2024, the SRA published a new consultation entitled “Client money in legal services – safeguarding consumers and providing redress: The model of solicitors holding client money” on possible changes to how and when … Read More
The SRA has published new guidance that is specifically intended to help, guide, and support in-house solicitors operating in England and Wales. The in-house legal guidance is based on feedback following stakeholder feedback on drafts … Read More
A new landmark white paper entitled ‘Agents of Change: The General Counsel role in creating culture and blueprints for leadership’, a joint venture between The Eagle Club and Mishcon de Reya, has highlighted the essential … Read More
In June 2024, the SRA launched a consultation on proposed changes to its financial penalty regime. The consultation proposes changes to the SRA fining guidance that the SRA believe will help them ‘deliver a strong … Read More
In May 2024, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) published a stark warning on its website to law firms engaged in financial product mis-selling compensation claims, urging them to adhere strictly to their professional obligations. The … Read More
On 21st June 2024, the SRA issued a warning notice to law firms about the requirement to address any shortages in client accounts promptly. The warning highlights the severe consequences of failing to replace missing … Read More
In September 2023, the Architects Registration Board (ARB) published a consultation report on proposals for a new regulatory approach to how architects are trained and educated in the UK. In this article, we will take … Read More
In part 1 of this article, we looked at the SRA’s Risk Outlook report on the implications of AI for the UK’s legal market. In part 2, we will look at some of the specific … Read More
On 20th February 2024, RICS published new guidance entitled, ‘Developing an Inclusive Culture’ with the aim of encouraging greater levels of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the chartered surveyor sector and more broadly. The … Read More
True to their word, the SRA has started 2024 by cracking down hard on law firm anti-money laundering (AML) non-compliance. In October 2023, the SRA issued a warning notice regarding client and matter risk assessments, … Read More
A group called the ‘CILEX Action Group’ has stated that it may take legal action against CILEX if its charter and bye-laws are changed without the approval of members. This follows a declaration of no … Read More
In January 2024, the SRA announced it had written to over 1,000 law firms to provide guidance on complying with the UK’s financial sanctions regime. The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) has a wide … Read More
Perhaps one of the biggest themes of 2023 was the widescale adoption and proliferation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in all areas of life. The rather unnerving (or exciting, depending on your standpoint) reality is that … Read More
If you have received a warning letter from the SRA warning that your law firm is not compliant with their Transparency Rules, you are not alone. The SRA is currently carrying out an “ongoing programme … Read More
On 1st October 2023, the SRA officially took over the management of the Solicitors Indemnity Fund (SIF). This follows agreement by the SRA’s board in February 2023 to bring the SIF under their control. The … Read More
At the end of August 2023, the SRA opened a new consultation on the future regulation of Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX) members. This follows formal talks in 2022 between the two bodies on … Read More