Webinars

Last updated 18 June 2013

Book your place now on a free webinar.

View or download recordings of completed webinars.

All of our webinars are free of charge. Participation in most live webinar events is worth one CPD hour.

Upcoming webinars

QASA: Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates

Wednesday, 26 June 2013, 12.30 to 13.30

The Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates (QASA) was formally approved by the SRA Board on 24 April 2013. This webinar offers solicitor advocates intending to enter the scheme an opportunity to learn more about the approved scheme. In particular, it will discuss those changes made to the scheme as a result of the fourth consultation and how we have addressed concerns raised by solicitors regarding the implementation of QASA.

This webinar is free. Participating in the live webinar will earn you one hour of attendance at an accredited CPD course.

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Line of sight: Future risk developments – the SRA’s view of the main risks to its regulatory objectives and the public interest

Tuesday, 9 July 2013, 12.30-13.30

The SRA has undertaken a review of the current legal services market to understand better the drivers of risks to the regulatory objectives. The Risk Outlook sets out the SRA’s assessment of the key risks. It will provide an aid to law firms’ management of risk, demonstrating the priorities to which the SRA will allocate resources and explaining the controls we use to manage these risks.

This free webinar will be of interest to those with compliance responsibilities and individuals who wish to gain a better understanding of risks in the legal services market and how these impact upon the SRA meeting its regulatory objectives.

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Completed webinars

Viewing an SRA webinar recording can count toward your annual CPD requirement on an "actual time" basis under the heading of "other activities" (up to 75 per cent of your annual CPD requirement may comprise "other activities").

To view a recording, choose the webinar you want to watch, then, click More.

Getting your firm authorised by the SRA: A step-by-step guide – 18 June 2013

If you're a prospective recognised body, ABS or sole practitioner looking to get authorised by the SRA, this webinar offers you valuable information. The presentation covers the SRA's new firm-based authorisation team's approach, aimed at streamlining our response to applications, advice to new firms on the application process, and what the SRA looks for in role holders to ensure that clients and the general public have confidence those engaged in delivering legal services are meeting high standards. A recording of the webinar will be available here shortly.

How the SRA uses the Risk Framework to deliver risk-based outcomes-focused regulation – 15 May 2013

In this webinar, we introduce the SRA's Regulatory Risk Framework, the mechanism through which we deliver risk-based outcomes-focused regulation. In particular, we examine the Risk Index, our catalogue of risks to the achievement of regulatory outcomes in the Legal Services Act 2007, and discuss the risk management process for identifying, assessing and managing these risks within the SRA.

PC renewals Q&A webinar – 21 November 2012

In this webinar, we answer some of the most frequently asked questions that have been raised with us in connection with the 2012 practising certificate renewals exercise.

The session provides guidance on

access and set-up,
maintaining profiles, and
completing the application forms.

It is primarily aimed at organisation contacts and authorised signatories completing bulk renewals on behalf of organisations.

SRA practising certificate renewals exercise 2012/2013 – 24 October 2012

In this webinar, we demonstrate features of the mySRA system, which you will use to submit your renewal application, and enhancements made based on feedback from the regulated community.

We also

confirm the 2012/13 practising renewals timetable,
confirm the material that the SRA provides to help you to prepare your firm and solicitors for this year's renewal exercise,
demonstrate the enhanced mySRA system that you use to submit your renewal application, and
enable you to discuss any queries you may have with subject matter experts.

Diversity data collection: Gathering an evidence base about diversity across the legal workforce – 6 July 2012

We look at Legal Services Board (LSB) requirements for regulators, law firms and chambers and consider the responsibilities and role that firms play in gathering a more comprehensive evidence base about the diversity characteristics of the legal workforce. Individuals (lawyer and non-lawyer) who meet LSB-defined categories will have the opportunity to self-classify against a broad range of characteristics (including age, gender, disability, ethnic group, religion or belief, sexual orientation, socio-economic background and caring responsibilities). Firms are required to offer the opportunity to provide these data (on a voluntary basis), which will be passed to the SRA: we look at how.

QASA: Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates (Criminal) – information about the scheme, the notification process, and what it means for you – 5 July 2012

We explain the background to the scheme, and who will be affected by it—as well as taking you through the initial online notification stage. We also discuss the principles behind setting the advocacy standard levels, and the registration and assessment process, which are to follow.

COLPs and COFAs: Compliance responsibilities in a proactive, efficient regulatory regime – 20 June 2012

Please note: This was a live repeat of our webinar on 29 May. The presentation varies in minor ways from the 29 May webinar, and the content of the Q&A session reflects the interests and concerns of those who attended on 20 June.

We set out our plans for compliance officers for legal practice (COLPs) and compliance officers for finance and administration (COFAs). We examine the need for a balance between proactive regulation and risk-based regulation, along with the role COLPs and COFAs will play in firms' relationship with the SRA. We also discuss the web-based nominations process, approval criteria, timescales and deadlines. This webinar is intended for firms going through the process of deciding upon appropriate COLPs and COFAs, and for prospective nominees.

COLPs and COFAs: Compliance responsibilities in a proactive, efficient regulatory regime – 29 May 2012

Our system for prioritising risk and what this means for your ﬁrm – 14 September 2011

We explain the SRA's assessment of risk in all its aspects—from systemic risks that require an overarching policy response, through to individual and firm-level risks. We review the approach our Risk Centre is developing and the processes through which risk will be measured and prioritised throughout our regulatory functions. We also discuss the types of information we require from firms.

Supervision and enforcement: Ensuring ﬁt-for-purpose legal services – 9 September 2011

The SRA's supervision function will provide risk-based oversight of the entire regulated community in order to ensure—in the public interest—that all firms and individuals remain fit to deliver legal services. In this webinar, we set out how our supervision function will operate.

Relationship management: How it will work in practice – 6 September 2011

We review the outcomes of our relationship management pilots and outline plans to progress this new approach to supervision after the formal introduction of outcomes-focused regulation in October 2011.

Control functions: Compliance officers for legal practice and finance and administration – 7 July 2011

We examine the roles of COLP (compliance officer for legal practice) and COFA (compliance officer for finance and administration), alongside internal audit, where appropriate. We also discuss consider firms' governance arrangements, the strength of the relationship with the SRA, and how this benefits both the regulated community as a whole and the public interest.

Roadshow recap – 30 June 2011

For those solicitors unable to attend our 2011 series of summer roadshows, this webinar is a chance to hear the presentations and listen to SRA executives answer questions from the floor.

Authorising firms and individuals to practise – 28 June 2011

This webinar examines the authorisation process and the information we will need to assess the risks that firms (including alternative business structures) and individuals present, so that we can minimise the extent to which unsuitable applicants can enter the profession.

Transition from code-based to outcomes-focused regulation – 23 June 2011

This webinar, aimed at sole practitioners and small firms, is a practical help-and-support session that explains changes to the way we regulate and how they will impact on our relationship with firms in the future when outcomes-focused regulation comes into force.

Moving from paper to online processes – 10 June 2011

mySRA will transform the way you—as a solicitor or other legal services provider—interact with us. It replaces our paper-based system of application forms and fees, providing you with a unique username and password to access your own SRA online account. You'll soon be able to renew your practising certificate and fulfil your reporting requirements with us—all on our website. This webinar explores our online revolution. This is a live repeat of the webinar held on 13 May 2011.

Moving from paper to online processes – 13 May 2011

mySRA will transform the way you—as a solicitor or other legal services provider—interact with us. It replaces our paper-based system of application forms and fees, providing you with a unique username and password to access your own SRA online account. You'll soon be able to renew your practising certificate and fulfil your reporting requirements with us—all on our website. This webinar explores our online revolution. You can view a recording of the webinar and download a copy of the presentation slides.

The supervisory experience – 23 February 2011

The main relationship most firms have with the SRA will be with our supervision teams. The supervisory experience will be designed to help firms deal with their own risks, improve standards and provide the required outcomes for clients. Learn how a firm's control functions will affect the level of SRA supervision. You can view a recording of the webinar and download a copy of the presentation slides.

Relationship management for small firms – 21 February 2011

Learn more about the role of relationship management in the context of outcomes-focused regulation. We explain how we're fashioning relationship management to help firms improve standards and enhance the reputation of providers of legal services. You can view a recording of the webinar and download a copy of the presentation slides.

Section 69 consultation and supervising small firms – 3 February 2011

A proposed section 69 order to amend the Administration of Justice Act 1985 and the Solicitors Act 1974 will allow us to treat sole practitioner firms in a similar way to other solicitors' firms, by removing the practising certificate (PC) endorsement mechanism and by bringing sole practitioners within the definition of a "recognised body". Find out how these changes will affect existing and new sole practitioners. You can view a recording of the webinar and download a copy of the presentation slides.

Financial protection review consultation – 28 January 2011

We explain in this webinar how our proposals for a new approach to financial protection for consumers are designed to transform the focus of professional indemnity insurance on the particular risks of each firm's practice, so that it becomes more fit for purpose. You can view or download a recording of the webinar and download a copy of the presentation slides.

Outcomes-focused regulation – 13 December 2010

More than 400 of you signed up to attend our second webinar, subtitled "The architecture of change: the second Handbook consultation". The webinar addresses several aspects of outcomes-focused regulation. You can view a recording of the webinar and download the presentation slides.

Relationship management – 26 November 2010

More than 300 of you joined our first webinar to learn about the role of relationship managementin the context of outcomes-focused regulation. You can watch a recording of the webinar and download the presentation slides.

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