Legal Services Act
New forms of practice and regulation
Last updated 3 June 2009
Legal Services Act – current highlights
- Now available: Applications—apply now for approval of a non-lawyer manager, approval to practise as a recognised sole practitioner, or to become a recognised body.
- Now available: Notification of a new manager—notify the SRA of a manager joining your firm.
- Now available: Notification of intention to apply for a practising certificate or registration to be a registered European lawyer
- Use our change-tracking tool to see changes to the Solicitors' Code of Conduct 2007 and changes to the Solicitors' Accounts Rules 1998—effective 31 March 2009.
- Check Legal Services Act FAQs—find out how and when the Legal Services Act will affect you.
- Read guidance on new duties for employees and firms.
- Read guidance on preparing for alternative business structures in order to ensure that clients are protected.
- Respond to open consultations. Download consultation feedback—including reports and recommendations submitted to the SRA Board.
- Read a brief introduction to each set of new or amended rules and regulations made by the SRA Board on 24 July 2008.
Legal Services Act – our approach
The Legal Services Act received Royal Assent on 30 October 2007. The Act ushers in important opportunities for solicitors to team up with non-lawyers and to attract capital for their businesses in a carefully regulated environment. The framework of the regulation of legal services is changing radically.
We aim to provide solicitors with key information and clear, authoritative guidance on what the Act means for them and their firms. On several related issues, we have consulted you.
At the outset, we described in a strategic paper the way the SRA is approaching the regulatory changes required by the Act—see Legal Services Act: New forms of practice and regulation.
You may find useful our glossary of terms.