Jon Goodwin, Author at Jonathan Goodwin

The SRA Has Signed Up to the AI Growth Lab – What Might This Mean for Compliance?

The AI Growth Lab is a ‘safe sandbox’ where legal services innovators can develop and test AI-based systems. According to the government’s announcement, it is designed to accelerate the development and deployment of AI products … Read More

The Legal Ombudsman’s Proposed New Fee Regime

The Office for Legal Complaints (OLC), which oversees the Legal Ombudsman service, has launched a consultation proposing a significant overhaul of its case fee structure. The changes are designed to incentivise firms to resolve complaints … Read More

Law Society Calls for Clear AI Rules as Fake Citations Reach the Courts

As outlined in the Law Gazette, the Law Society has called on the Solicitors Regulation Authority, HM Courts and Tribunals Service, and the Ministry of Justice to set out how artificial intelligence can and should … Read More

Law Commission Looking At New Consumer Class Actions Regime

The Law Commission of England and Wales has launched a new project to consider the potential introduction of a consumer class actions regime. Announced on 20th April 2026, the project is sponsored by the Department … Read More

SRA Considers Faster Action Against Solicitors in Post Office Scandal Fallout

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) may take enforcement action against some solicitors connected to the Post Office Horizon IT scandal before the statutory public inquiry publishes its final report (a date for which is still … Read More

FCA and SRA Issue Joint Warning to Law Firms on Motor Finance Commission Claims

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) issued a joint warning on 4th February 2026 directed at claims management companies (CMCs) and law firms handling motor finance commission claims. The warning … Read More

Law Society Issues Post-Mazur Practice Guidance On The Conduct Of Litigation

On 29th April 2026, the Law Society published a practice note on the ‘conduct of litigation’, following the Court of Appeal judgment in Mazur & Stuart v Charles Russell Speechlys LLP & Others [2026] EWCA … Read More

Law Firms Face Higher AML Fines and More Inspections Than Accountants

The Office for Professional Body Anti-Money Laundering Supervision (OPBAS) published its annual review of AML supervision effectiveness on the 3rd of March 2026, covering the 25 professional body supervisors responsible for preventing financial crime across … Read More

The SRA’s New Law Firm ‘Profiler’

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is developing a new risk profiling tool designed to detect early warning signs of law firm instability. This is a direct response to the high-profile collapses of Axiom Ince, SSB … Read More

Law Firms Could Face AML Double Jeopardy, Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal Warns

The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has warned that law firms could face the prospect of ‘double jeopardy’ as anti-money laundering supervision transfers from the Solicitors Regulation Authority to the Financial Conduct Authority. Background To The Consultation … Read More

Legal Services Board State of Legal Services 2025 Report

The Legal Services Board (LSB) has published its latest State of Legal Services 2025 report, providing a progress update at the halfway point of its ten-year Reshaping Legal Services strategy for 2020 to 2031. The … Read More

High Court Judge Warns That AI-Generated Expert Report Constitutes ‘Gross Breach of Duty’

A solicitor’s use of an AI-generated draft expert report has been described as a “gross breach of duty” by High Court judge Mr Justice Waksman at the recent Bond Solon Expert Witness Conference. This serves … Read More

SRA Review Finds Compliance Officers Feel Undervalued by Firms

A new thematic review by the SRA published in December 2025 has found that many compliance officers working in law firms feel undervalued and insufficiently supported in carrying out their regulatory duties. The findings were … Read More

SRA Thematic Review: What Law Firms Must Change on Source of Funds and Wealth Checks

On 5th November 2025, the SRA published a thematic review showing that while awareness is generally positive, there was evidence of non-compliance with source of funds and source of wealth checks. The review found that … Read More

LSB Launches Enforcement Action Against the SRA Following SSB Group Review

In October 2025, the Legal Services Board (LSB) launched enforcement action against the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) following an independent review into the regulation of SSB Group, which collapsed in early 2024. The action follows … Read More

“We have engaged Jonathan’s services on two occasions, the first in April 2018 when we were served notice of investigation by the SRA.

This had not been anticipated and after more than 30 years practice as a solicitor was somewhat of a shock to be the subject of an investigation.

We quickly realised that we would need expert legal advice and assistance and Jonathan was found upon recommendation. He gave very good early advice prior to my having to attend a meeting with two SRA investigators which was then followed by a file inspection.

There then following a period of constant pressure from the emailing of questions from the SRA which resulted in our having to devote a large amount of management time and caused great stress to the partners of the business. Jonathan was of great assistance in this time and prepared an extensive letter of response to the SRA which showed his experience and expertise in the area of SRA investigations and brought the investigation to an end.

After 9 months (!), we were then served with the investigation report and an Explanation of Conduct Letter in March 2019 and immediately engaged Jonathan’s services again. He prepared a great letter of response which was sent to SRA on 26th April and the following day(!), the SRA sent a letter confirming it was closing the file. This might very well be a record win!!

This was such a great result for Jonathan (and for this firm) and lifted the great pressure we were under of the SRA possibly taking the matter to Tribunal.

I cannot speak too highly for Jonathan’s ability and his empathy for the situation we encountered. He also has great insight into the SRA’s methods and thinking (having acted for them in an enforcement role for many years) which gives him an added “edge” over other Solicitor Advocates.”

Partner, Law Firm

"We have engaged Jonathan’s services on two occasions, the first in April 2018 when we were served notice of investigation by the SRA. This had not been anticipated and after more than 30 years practice as a solicitor was somewhat of a shock to be the subject of an investigation. We quickly realised that we would need expert legal advice and assistance and Jonathan was found upon recommendation. He gave very good early advice prior to my having to attend a meeting with two SRA investigators which was then followed by a file inspection. There then following a period of constant pressure from the emailing of questions from the SRA which resulted in our having to devote a large amount of management time and caused great stress to the partners of the business. Jonathan was of great assistance in this time and prepared an extensive letter of response to the SRA which showed his experience and expertise in the area of SRA investigations and brought the investigation to an end. After 9 months (!), we were then served with the investigation report and an Explanation of Conduct Letter in March 2019 and immediately engaged Jonathan’s services again. He prepared a great letter of response which was sent to SRA on 26th April and the following day(!), the SRA sent a letter confirming it was closing the file. This might very well be a record win!! This was such a great result for Jonathan (and for this firm) and lifted the great pressure we were under of the SRA possibly taking the matter to Tribunal. I cannot speak too highly for Jonathan’s ability and his empathy for the situation we encountered. He also has great insight into the SRA’s methods and thinking (having acted for them in an enforcement role for many years) which gives him an added “edge” over other Solicitor Advocates." Partner, Law Firm

Read More