SRA Update

Referral arrangements set to continue

New action to ensure compliance with referral arrangement rules is planned after an SRA report showed significant non-compliance. Read about the 12-month review of referrals conducted by our board.

Non-lawyer partners—what about their character and suitability?

From 2009, law firms will be allowed to have up to 25 per cent non-lawyer managers. But what are the checks that should be made on character and suitability of non-lawyers who will have partnership responsibilities? Should there be training and testing of competence? We would like to hear your views about this important development. Find out more

Publication of regulatory decisions

January 2008 sees the introduction of an SRA policy on publishing more of our regulatory decisions. Solicitors should be aware that the new policy will apply to investigations that begin after 1 January 2008, although decisions to prosecute at the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal may be published immediately. This information will be available on our website soon.

Download our Policy statement on publication of regulatory and disciplinary decisions.

Changes to the Legal Practice Course

Changes to the Legal Practice Course (LPC) which will allow greater flexibility for students and course providers are under way. Some courses may change from 2009, and all courses will need to be revised from 2010. Learn about the new structure of the LPC.

Risk-based approach to regulation

Allegations of misconduct come to us from a wide range of sources including

• anti-crime organisations
• clients,
• solicitors, and
• our own investigations.

This intelligence is now assessed by one SRA unit—where staff are applying a new scoring and classification method to help us target our resources according to risk. To review the new criteria that are helping us to act promptly when risks are identified, visit sra.org.uk/risk.

Letterhead statement changes—grace period over

Firms' letterhead, fax headings and websites should now state that they are "regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority"—rather than "regulated by the Law Society". Read more

SRA coming to visit an area near you

Peter Williamson and Antony Townsend, the chair and the chief executive of the SRA, and colleagues are continuing their programme of roadshows to meet solicitors around the country. If you would like to come to a Regulation Roadshow in 2008—these events are free and attract two CPD points—please email events@sra.org.uk.

• 6 February - Southampton (fully booked)
• 12 February - Dorking, Surrey (fully booked)
• 11 March - Bristol
• 16 April - London, NW
• 20 May - Yorkshire
• 9 July - Penrith
• 16 September - Cambridge
• 28 October - London (rescheduled to 4 November)
• 25 November - London (more information)