Who we are
We are the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), the independent regulatory body created by the Law Society, regulating
We are not the only regulatory body within the legal profession, as there are different types of legal professionals regulated by other regulatory bodies—read more about where we fit with other approved regulators.
What we do
We set the Principles and a Code of Conduct that those regulated by us have to abide by in order to provide legal services. We take an outcomes-focused, risk-based approach to regulation, to make sure that individuals and firms that we regulate operate independently and with integrity in the interests of their clients and in the wider public interest.
We supervise firms and individuals who are regulated by us, and can take enforcement action against those caught breaching our Principles. We have a range of legal powers that enable us to take a variety of different actions according to the severity of the breach and the risk posed to the public and the profession. For example, we can
- issue a warning about future conduct
- impose a disciplinary sanction, such as a fine
- control how a firm or individual practices
- refer a firm or individual's conduct to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal
- revoke recognition of a firm or refuse to renew recognition of a firm
- close a firm with immediate effect (we call this "intervention").
We may publish our regulatory decisions.
Where a firm has closed it is possible for clients to apply to us for money they have already paid to the firm. We can also return documents to clients; however, we do not reduce or refund legal fees. Please see information on what we do not do, below.
We also make sure that those we regulate are qualified and insured to provide legal services, by
Read more about how we regulate.
What we don't do
We cannot give legal advice, or tell you which solicitors or lawyers to use, because we are independent. We do, however, have guidance on
We don't take complaints about solicitors providing poor service; we deal mainly with cases of fraud, misconduct and dishonesty. The Legal Ombudsman is the organisation that handles complaints about poor service. We cannot refund or reduce legal fees. See our information on how to report a solicitor or firm to find out more about the best way to resolve a problem with your solicitor.
Where we fit with other approved regulators
The regulation of lawyers
The Legal Services Board is responsible for overseeing the regulation of all lawyers in England and Wales. There are then eight separate regulators directly regulating the different types of lawyer on a day-to-day basis.
The different types of lawyer, and their approved regulators, are as follows:
The regulation of firms
The SRA and the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) have powers to regulate the firms within which different types of lawyer work. The CLC has the power to regulate firms providing conveyancing and probate services. The SRA is able to regulate all types of legal work a firm may deliver, including conveyancing and probate services.
Lawyers are allowed to set up law firms with other lawyers and non-lawyers. This means that while individuals are regulated by their own approved regulator, the firm for which they work will be regulated by either the SRA or the CLC.
Firms are primarily responsible for ensuring compliance with regulators, however individuals within those firms are responsible for their own conduct.
To find out who regulates your lawyer or firm, ask the lawyer, or use the Law Society's find a solicitor search tool; if they are on there, they are regulated by us. Other approved regulators' sites (see links above) also have search tools or listings on their sites to tell you who they regulate.