FAQ
Important: The FAQs below were written and published before the introduction of the SRA Handbook on 6 October 2011, and may refer to regulatory material that is no longer in effect. Although they may still be relevant, these FAQs have not yet been reviewed in light of the wide-ranging regulatory changes implemented on 6 October. They will be reviewed and updated (or archived) in due course.
What's happening with the Legal Services Act?
Several things have happened since the Legal Services Act was made in October 2007.
- The chair (David Edmonds) and the board members of the Legal Services Board (LSB) have been appointed so that the board can fully take up its role (to supervise approved regulators etc.).
- The chair and the board members of the Office for Legal Complaints (OLC) have been appointed, so that the OLC is fully operational (to handle complaints) by late 2010.
- In July 2008, the SRA Board made a package of amendments to the rules and regulations to support LDPs and firm-based regulation. These rules and regulations have been effective since 31 March 2009.
- The LSB has decided the detail of its new licensing scheme, and approved regulators can now apply to the LSB to become licensing authorities for the purpose of regulating ABSs. The SRA has applied, on behalf of the Law Society (which is named as the approved regulator in the Legal Services Act) to become a licensing authority for ABSs. Before the SRA is designated as a licensing authority, parliamentary approval processes need to be completed. So, beware of jumping the gun. Visit www.sra.org.uk/abs regularly for the up-to-date position.