Latest news releases

SRA takes further steps to promote innovation

12 April 2018

We will go ahead with plans to make it easier for law firms to develop new ideas, including a ‘safe space’ for innovation.

Call for law firms to reduce level of PPI fees

5 April 2018

Ahead of the Government's introduction of a PPI fee cap, we have re-iterated our call for law firms to consider how much they charge in this area.

LSB gives go-ahead to the first stage of reforms to how solicitors qualify

27 March 2018

Responding to the Legal Services Board's approval of the framework for changes to how solicitors are admitted to the profession, employers and education suppliers are being urged to push ahead with their preparations for the introduction of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination(SQE).

SRA consults on changes to legal insurance and compensation rules

23 March 2018

We have today published proposals designed to make sure users of legal services get the appropriate level of protection, and in turn benefit from a more competitive marketplace and increased choice. The proposed changes would see the removal of the current ‘one-size-fits-all’ rules on professional indemnity insurance (PII), meaning firms could take out cover that better reflects the work they do.

SRA statement: CBL Insurance Europe dac (CBLIE)

20 March 2018

On 26 February 2018, the Central Bank of Ireland (Central Bank) announced that CBL Insurance Europe dac (CBLIE) had been placed into provisional administration.

Call for solicitors to provide clearer conveyancing information, especially to first-time buyers

16 March 2018

While most customers (76%) are satisfied with the legal services they receive when buying or selling a property, there are concerns over the quality and timeliness of information being provided to them during the process.

No excuse for inappropriate use of NDAs, law firms warned

12 March 2018

We have warned law firms that non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) should not be used to prevent the reporting of professional misconduct. In a warning notice, we have reminded law firms that potential professional misconduct by a person or firm should be reported to us.

Money laundering review finds most law firms doing well but urges others to comply

2 March 2018

Our review of 50 firms has shown that although most law firms are doing what is needed to tackle money laundering, some need to do more.

New insurance directive delayed

23 February 2018

Solicitors will not need to comply with the new European Insurance Distribution Directive until later this year, we have confirmed.

Law firm profile shows improving diversity across the legal sector, but improvement still needed at senior levels

14 February 2018

Data published today reveals that while the overall legal sector is increasingly reflective of wider society, challenges remain in achieving true diversity at senior levels in some firms. Based on information from 180,000 people working at 9,000 law firms across England and Wales, our data shows that diversity in the sector continues to improve.

Greater price transparency would help people make better choices about legal services

25 January 2018

The majority of solicitors do not advertise prices, despite evidence that customers are willing to shop around, and are more likely to make 'good financial decisions' when prices are more readily available.

New AML rules lead to mandatory information request

22 January 2018

New anti-money-laundering regulations introduced by the Government mean that we require comprehensive information from law firms about people working in certain roles.

Senior retail expert named as SRA lay Board member

11 January 2018

A customer-focussed managing director with wide-ranging retail sector experience has been named as our new lay Board member.