News archive

We have summarised the work we have done protecting and promoting the public interest during 2022/23 in our latest annual reports.

We have issued a warning to law firms, especially those engaged in high volume claims work, about prohibited marketing practices, such as cold calling, door knocking and directly targeted online messaging.

We have published two new thematic reviews into professional obligations, and probate and estate administration. 

Following stakeholder feedback on drafts published earlier this year, we have issued a range of new guidance materials designed to directly support the 34,500 plus solicitors working in-house across England and Wales.

As part of our ongoing review of consumer protection arrangements in the legal sector, we are consulting on potential changes to how and when law firms handle client money, and how this money is protected.

Our latest annual report shows that we have increased regulatory action against firms in a bid to drive compliance and make sure the profession is tackling the risk of money laundering.

An independent report into the overrepresentation of Black, Asian and minority ethnic solicitors in the early stages of our enforcement process has found a complex issue with no single or simple solution.

The Legal Services Board (LSB) has published its report into the events leading up to the intervention into Axiom Ince. At the heart of this issue was a suspected complex and well-hidden fraud carried out by a solicitor, with an ongoing criminal investigation by the Serious Fraud Office. We have published our response to the LSB’s report.

Research has shown that most people have trust and confidence in legal services, with high professional standards and high-quality training the most important drivers of that trust. 

Following approval by our Board, we have published our 2024/25 Business Plan, outlining our key priorities and areas of work for the year ahead.

We have issued a suite of new and updated resources to help law firms further improve the information they provide to the public, to in turn help them make more informed decisions when they need legal support.

We have published a review of legal firms providing asylum services, as part of ongoing monitoring of immigration legal services in England and Wales.

News release: Following consultation, we have confirmed that law firm and individual contributions toward the SRA Compensation Fund will need to increase for the first time in five years.

We have been recognised for our commitment to supporting LGBTQ+ staff and customers after reaching number 11 on Stonewall's Top 100 Employers list for 2024.

The Board of the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has agreed it would regulate Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX) members, if CILEX decides to redelegate this to the SRA.

We are consulting on proposals to update our approach to issuing financial penalties to law firms and solicitors.

Law firms have been reminded of their duty to replace any shortages on client accounts immediately upon discovery in a new warning notice.

In light of the recent significant interest in the Post Office Horizon Scandal and the resumption of hearings at the ongoing statutory public inquiry, we are providing an update on our investigation, building on our January 2024 statement.

Solicitors have been reminded in a new warning notice that their clients’ interests must remain paramount during mergers and acquisitions.

We are calling on the legal, education and training sectors to work with us to tackle issues leading to differential outcomes in professional legal assessments by ethnicity.

We have updated our warning to solicitors about getting involved in abusive litigation aimed at silencing legitimate critics, known as strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs).

We have launched a public consultation on our 2024-25 Business Plan and budget (insert link), which includes details of proposed practising certificate fees. It also sets out compensation fund contributions for the coming year.

Law firms working on financial product mis-selling compensation claims have been warned about their potential approaches and the need to uphold their professional obligations.

We have published a thematic review looking at law firm understanding of best practice to avoid getting involved in strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs).

We have begun the search for a new Chair for our Board, who will be responsible for overseeing our work driving confidence and trust in legal services.

The latest reports reviewing the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) have shown it continues to perform well and there can be confidence in this rigorous assessment.

We have launched a consultation on rule changes needed to allow the potential regulation of non-authorised Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX) members.

We have developed a raft of new resources to support the 34,500 plus solicitors working in-house in England and Wales. And views are now being sought on the guidance and advice before they are formally adopted.

We have launched a review of our overall approach to protecting consumers in response to shifting risks in the sector.

We have written to more than 1,000 firms with guidance and support on complying with the UK’s financial sanctions regime. We gathered data from a number of firms and based on their responses identified a large number of firms that had indicated they had poor controls in place.

We have published more fixed penalties issued as part of our new financial penalty regime.